(2E)-2-(4-ethoxybenzylidene)-3,4-dihydro-2H-naphthalen-1-one single crystal: Synthesis, growth, crystal structure, spectral characterization, biological evaluation and binding interactions with SARS-CoV-2 main protease.

A new α-Tetralone based chalcone compound, (2E)-2-(4-ethoxybenzylidene)-3,4-dihydro-2H-naphthalen-1-one (EBDN) has been synthesized by Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction of α-Tetralone (1) with 4-Ethoxybenzaldehyde (2) in basic medium. Then it was allowed to grow through slow evaporation solution growth technique. The molecular structure of grown EBDN has been systematically characterized by SCXRD, FT-IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopic studies. The micro-hardness, thermal (TGA & DTA) and photoluminence studies of the synthesized EBDN were also examined. The EBDN was screened for its anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and anti-oxidant activity. It has shown admirable anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activity. Protein-Ligand interactions of EBDN with SARS-CoV-2 main protease (PDB code: 6yb7) also performed.

Nanorod-like Structure of ZnO Nanoparticles and Zn8O8 Clusters Using 4-Dimethylamino Benzaldehyde Liquid to Study the Physicochemical and Antimicrobial Properties of Pathogenic Bacteria.

To study their physicochemical and antimicrobial properties, zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using a simple chemical route and 4-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (4DB) as an organic additive. ZnO nanoparticles were characterized with XRD analysis, which confirmed the presence of a hexagonal wurtzite structure with different crystalline sizes. The SEM morphology of the synthesized nanoparticles confirmed the presence of nanorods in both modifications of ZnO nanoparticles. EDS analysis proved the chemical composition of the synthesized samples via different chemical approaches. In addition, the optical absorption results indicated that the use of 4DB increased the band gap energy of the synthesized nanoparticles. The synthesized Zn8O8 and Zn8O8:4DB clusters were subjected to HOMO-LUMO analysis, and their ionization energy (I), electron affinity (A), global hardness (η), chemical potential (σ), global electrophilicity index (ω), dipole moment (µ), polarizability (αtot), first-order hyperpolarizability (ßtot), and other thermodynamic properties were determined. Furthermore, the antimicrobial properties of the ZnO nanoparticles were studied against G+ (S. aureus and B. subtilis) and G- (K. pneumoniae and E. coli) bacteria in a nutrient agar according to guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI).

Ultrasonication-mediated nitrogen-doped multiwalled carbon nanotubes involving carboxy methylcellulose composite for solid-state supercapacitor applications.

In this study, a novel nanohybrid composite containing nitrogen-doped multiwalled carbon nanotubes/carboxymethylcellulose (N-MWCNT/CMC) was synthesized for supercapacitor applications. The synthesized composite materials were subjected to an ultrasonication-mediated solvothermal hydrothermal reaction. The synthesized nanohybrid composite electrode material was characterized using analytical methods to confirm its structure and morphology. The electrochemical properties of the composite electrode were investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanic charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) using a 3 M KOH electrolyte. The fabricated composite material exhibited unique electrochemical properties by delivering a maximum specific capacitance of approximately 274 F g-1 at a current density of 2 A g-1. The composite electrode displayed high cycling stability of 96% after 4000 cycles at 2 A g-1, indicating that it is favorable for supercapacitor applications.

The effect of piracetam on ataxia: clinical observations in a group of autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia patients.

OBJECTIVES: Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxias are clinically and genetically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders. There is no known treatment to prevent neuronal cell death in these disorders. Current treatment is purely symptomatic; ataxia is one of the most disabling symptoms and represents the main therapeutic challenge. A previous case report suggesting benefit from administration of high dose piracetam inspired the present study of the efficacy of this agent in patients with cerebellar ataxia. Piracetam is a low molecular weight derivative of gamma-aminobutyric acid. Although little is known of its mode of action, its efficacy has been documented in a wide range of clinical indications, such as cognitive disorders, dementia, vertigo and dyslexia, as well as cortical myoclonus. The present report investigated the role of high dose piracetam in patients with cerebellar ataxia. METHODS: Eight patients with autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia were given intravenous piracetam 60 g/day by a structured protocol for 14 days. The baseline and end-of-the study evaluations were based on the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale. RESULTS: Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant improvement in the patients' total score (P = 0.018) and a subscale analysis showed statistical significance for only the posture and gait disturbances item (P = 0.018). CONCLUSION: This study is providing good clinical observation in favour of high dose piracetam infusion to reduce the disability of the patients by improving their gait ataxia.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Prevalence and Dietary Factors in the Sylhet District of Bangladesh.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional bowel disorder. Along with other factors diet plays an important role in the causation of IBS. This population-based study was done to find out the prevalence of IBS and to find out the dietary factors associated with IBS from August 2011 to December 2011 in Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Nineteen hundred apparently healthy subjects selected by cluster sampling methods were interviewed by a validated bowel disease questionnaire. Dietary history of the subjects was also taken. Irritable bowel syndrome was diagnosed according to Rome III criteria. The prevalence of IBS was found 14.2% (n=269, M=15%, F=13.4%, p=0.365). Mean age of the IBS patients were higher than the study population (41.35 years vs. 34.74 years, p=0.000). Irritable bowel syndrome was found more in low education group (16.3%) with lower socioeconomic status (16.5%) and in single person (16.7%). IBSD was the most prevalent subtype (48.7%), IBSM was the next common subtype. Abdominal pain relieved by defecation (81%) and abdominal pain associated with loose stools (81%) were the two commonest symptoms. Age (OR 1.023, p=0.000), less intake of meat (OR 2.281, p=0.000) and pulses (OR 1.648, p=0.001) and more intake of tea (OR 1.524, p=0.009) and spices (OR 0.452, p=0.000) were found as independent predictor of IBS. Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder in our community. IBSD is the most prevalent subtype. Less intake of meat, pulses and more intakes of tea and spices are important associated factors for IBS.

Assessment of spatial-contrast function and short-wavelength sensitivity deficits in patients with migraine.

AIMS: To study spatial-contrast function and short-wavelength sensitivity deficits in a migraine population with a disease duration of 30 years or less. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective, cross-sectional study, we evaluated 28 subjects with migraine headache and 15 nonheadache healthy controls. Visual fields were evaluated using the Humphrey Field Analyzer 750i and the 30-2, blue and yellow threshold programme. Contrast sensitivity (CS) was measured at 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 18 cpd spatial frequencies, using the Functional Acuity Contrast Test (F.A.C.T.). The results of the visual field parameters (mean defect (MD) and pattern standard defect (PSD)) and CS were compared with 15 age-equivalent normal subjects. RESULTS: Short-wavelength amplitude perimetry (SWAP) parameters and CS scores at all spatial frequencies were significantly altered in the migraine patients when compared with the control subjects. Visual field parameters correlated significantly with contrast sensitivity scores: positively for MD (r=0.39, P=0.01; r=0.43, P=0.005; r=0.56, P=0.0001; r=0.45, P=0.003; r=0.48, P=0.0001) and negatively for PSD (r=-0.45, P=0.003; r=-0.45, P=0.003; r=-0.51, P=0.001; r=-0.53, P=0.0001; and r=-0.67, P=0.0001) at all (1.5, 3, 6,12, and 18 cpd) spatial frequencies, respectively. Migraine duration correlated negatively with MD (r=-0.42, P=0.04) and positively with PSD (r=0.42, P=0.03). CONCLUSION: Migraineurs had significantly altered visual field and contrast function at all spatial frequencies to the normal population. These defects share some features with early stages of glaucoma and may relate a possibility for a common vascular disease pathogenesis in these two conditions.

Hemichorea associated with polycythaemia vera.

Chorea is a rare complication of polycythaemia vera. Polycythaemic chorea occurs predominantly in females and usually in generalised form. We present a 66-year-old woman with acute onset hemichorea-ballism with no vascular pathology in the basal ganglia region. A clear relationship was observed between the onset of chorea and worsening of haematological parameters in the patient. After repeated phlebotomies the patient's clinical status was improved. Polycythaemic chorea must be considered, especially in the elderly, as early diagnosis leads to effective treatment and prevention of complications.

New alternative agents in essential tremor therapy: double-blind placebo-controlled study of alprazolam and acetazolamide.

Propranolol and primidone are widely used, effective agents in essential tremor although they are not tolerated by all patients. In the present study, the effectiveness of alprazolam, a triazole analog of benzodiazapine class, and acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, were investigated as symptomatic treatments for essential tremor. We studied 22 patients with essential tremor in a double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled design. The patients received in random order alprazolam, acetazolamide, primidone and placebo for four weeks, each separated by a two-week washout period. The study demonstrated that alprazolam was superior to placebo and equipotent to primidone, whereas there was no statistically significant difference between acetazolamide and placebo. The mean effective daily dose of alprazolam was 0.75 mg and there was not any troublesome side effect reported by the patients on alprazolam. Alprazolam can be used as an alternative agent in elderly essential tremor patients who can not tolerate primidone or propranolol.

Tardive dystonia associated with olanzapine therapy.

A 21-year-old man with the diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia was admitted to our clinic with cervical dystonia developing at the end of the first year of olanzapine therapy. The present case suggests that tardive dystonia in this patient is most likely associated with olanzapine administration as this is the main antipsychotic he received. Regarding the few case reports of olanzapine-associated tardive syndromes, patients taking olanzapine should be carefully screened for the appearance of tardive movements.

Intraarterial Thrombolysis with r-tPA for Treatment of Anterior Circulation Acute Ischemic Stroke. Technical and Clinical Results.

SUMMARY: To investigate factors effecting the safety and recanalization efficacy of local intraarterial (IA) recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) delivery in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Eleven patients with anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke were treated. The neurological status of the patients were graded with the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). All patients underwent a computed tomography (CT) examination at admission. In addition four patients had diffusion-weighted and one patient had a perfusion magnetic resonance (MR) examinations. Patients were treated within six hours from stroke onset. Immediate, six hours, and 24 hours follow-up CT examinations were performed in order to evaluate the haemorrhagic complications and the extent of the ischemic area. The Rankin Scale (RS) was used as an outcome measure. Two of the 11 patients had carotid "T" occlusion (CTO), nine had middle cerebral artery (MCA) main trunk occlusion. Four patients had symptomatic haemorrhage with a large haematoma rupturing into the ventricles and subarachnoid space. Of these, three patients died within 24 hours. The remaining seven patients had asymptomatic haematomas that were smaller compared to symptomatic ones, and showed regression in size and density on follow-up CTs. At third month five patients had a good outcome and three patients had a poor outcome. In acute ischemic stroke, local IA thrombolysis is a feasible treatment when you select the right patient. Haemorrhage rate does not seem to exceed that occuring in the natural history of the disease and in other treatment modalities.

Uncommon ultrasound findings in traumatic extracranial vertebral artery dissection.

We report a case of internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD) associated with contralateral vertebral artery dissection (VAD). The interest of this case is to discuss an unusual Doppler pattern manifesting by a spectrum of an alternating vertebral artery flow suggesting a hemodynamic contribution from the contralateral vertebral artery (VA) and a clear depiction of both antegrade (red) and retrograde (blue) flow within the false and true lumen of the VAD by color Duplex flow imaging.