Synthesis and in vitro antimicrobial evaluation of condensed heterocyclic 6-substituted 1,2,4-triazolo-[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazole and 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives of isoniazid

A series of 6-substituted-1,2,4-triazolo-[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazole (3a-g) and 1,3,4-oxadiazole (4a-g, 5) derivatives of isoniazid were synthesized in satisfactory yield and pharmacologically evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity. All the synthesized compounds were in good agreement with elemental and spectral data. A majority of the tested compounds showed good to moderate antimicrobial activity against all tested pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains.     

Engineering of Phenylboronic Acid Based Glucose‐Sensitive Microgels with 4‐Vinylpyridine for Working at Physiological pH and Temperature

Glucose‐sensitive p(NIPAM‐4‐VP‐PBA) microgels with different 4‐VP content are synthesized by the functionalization of p(NIPAM‐4‐VP‐AA) microgels with 3‐aminophenylboronic acid. The glucose‐, pH‐, and thermosensitive behavior of the microgels are investigated using DLS. The feeding content of the hydrophilic 4‐VP group increases the hydrodynamic radius and volume phase transition temperature of the resultant microgel. The effect of 4‐VP content on hydrodynamic radius and volume phase transition is systematically studied at different pH values. The effect of 4‐VP content on the glucose sensitivity is studied at physiological pH and temperature. The Lewis base moiety 4‐VP adjusts the working pH of the PBA‐based glucose‐responsive microgel to physiological values.

     

Homozygosity for a novel missense mutation in the leptin receptor gene (P316T) in two Egyptian cousins with severe early onset obesity

Congenital deficiency of the leptin receptor is a very rare cause of severe early-onset obesity. To date, only 9 families have been reported in the literature to have mutations in the leptin receptor gene. The clinical features include severe early onset obesity, severe hyperphagia, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and T cell and neuroendocrine/metabolic dysfunction. Here we report two cousins with severe early onset obesity and recurrent respiratory tract infections. Their serum leptin levels were elevated but they were within the range predicted by the elevated fat mass in both cousins. Direct sequencing of the entire coding sequence of the leptin receptor gene revealed a novel homozygous missense mutation in exon 6, P316T. The mutation was found in the homozygous form in both cousins and in the heterozygote state in their parents. This mutation was not found in 200 chromosomes from 100 unrelated normal weight control subjects of Egyptian origin using PCR-RFLP analysis. In conclusion, finding this new mutation in the LEPR beside our previous mutation in the LEP gene implies that monogenic obesity syndromes may be common in the Egyptian population owing to the high rates of consanguineous marriages. Further screening of more families for mutations in LEP, LEPR, and MC4 might confirm this assumption.     

Prevalence of human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) in children with wheezing in Shiraz-Iran

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection plays an important role in the pediatric respiratory infections. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between asthma and wheezing with hMPV in hospitalized children. Nasal pharyngeal swabs obtained from 120 children aged 1-60 months, hospitalized during a one year period, were tested for the hMPV by RT-PCR. HMPV was detected in 20 (16.6%) of patients suffering from wheezing. Some patients in addition to wheezing had asthma 10.8%. This infection occurred predominantly from October 2008 to September 2009.     

Screening for the metabolic syndrome using simple anthropometric measurements in south Asian and white Europeans: A population-based screening study. The Leicester Ethnic Atherosclerosis and Diabetes Risk (LEADER) Study

AimsTo estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a general population sample of south Asians and white Europeans and compare predictors of metabolic syndrome, using ethnic specific definitions of obesity.Methods3099 participants (71.4% white European, 28.6% south Asian) aged 40–75 years were screened using a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. Metabolic syndrome was defined using National Cholesterol Education Programme and International Diabetes Federation definitions. We compared sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve of waist circumference, body mass index and waist–hip ratio.ResultsThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome using the definitions above was 29.9% (29.2% south Asian, 30.2% white European), and 34.4% (34.2% south Asian, 34.5% white European), respectively. Using the National Cholesterol Education Programme definition, waist circumference was significantly more predictive of metabolic syndrome than body mass index or waist–hip ratio. The area under the curve for waist circumference was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.69–0.80) and 0.76 (0.72–0.81) for south Asian men and women; 0.83 (0.80–0.85) and 0.80 (0.77–0.82) for white European men and women.ConclusionsThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome is high in both south Asian and white European populations. Waist circumference is a simple and effective measure for predicting metabolic syndrome in different populations.     

Characteristics of superficial fungal infections in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia

Background The prevalence and characteristics of superficial fungal infections (SFIs) vary with climatic conditions, lifestyle, and population migration patterns. This study was undertaken to determine the characteristics of SFIs amongst patients visiting the dermatology clinic of Riyadh Military Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the period 2003–2005. Methods One hundred and nineteen patients with confirmed SFI (37 males and 82 females), aged between 5 months and 67 years, were included in this study. The diagnosis of SFI was based on clinical presentation confirmed by laboratory analysis. The type of mycotic pathogen and the site of infection were recorded as a function of age and sex. Results Onychomycosis (40.3%) was the most frequent infection, followed by tinea capitis (21.9%), tinea pedis (16%), tinea cruris (15.1%), and tinea corporis (6.7%). Tinea capitis was most prevalent (15.1%) in children (male to female ratio, 1 : 1.57), whereas tinea pedis was most common (11.8%) in adults (male to female ratio, 1 : 2.5). Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis were the most common dermatophytes responsible for tinea infections, and T. mentagrophytes, Candida spp., and Aspergillus spp. were mainly responsible for onychomycosis. Conclusion The prevalence of SFI was twofold greater in females than males. Children were most commonly affected by tinea capitis, whereas adults generally suffered from tinea pedis. The frequency of onychomycosis was nearly three times higher in adults. This study clearly shows that SFIs are of concern in both genders and in all age groups.     

Determining hepatitis C virus genotype distribution among high-risk groups in Iran using real-time PCR

AIM:To assess hepatitis C virus(HCV)genotype patterns among high-risk Iranian groups,using real-time RT-PCR.METHODS:In this study,we evaluated the distribution of different HCV genotypes among injection drug users and other high-risk groups over a 4-year period(from 2009 to 2012)using real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR).Sera from 888 HCV-infected patients residing in southern and southwest Iran were genotyped using real-time PCR with common primers and specific probes.These patients were grouped into distinct exposure categories.Illicit drug users constituted the primary group and were further evaluated for HCV genotype distribution and parameters such as age range.RESULTS:Of the examined HCV-infected patients,62%were substance abusers,although the route of transmission could not be determined in approximately 30%of these patients.HCV genotyping revealed that Gt1 was the most prevalent genotype among the drug users as well as among patients with thalassemia,hemophilia,solid organ recipients and those on hemodialysis.Mixed infections were only seen in addict groups,where Gt2 genotype was also found.The highest frequencies in HCV-positive addict patients were observed in the 31-40 age group.Our research also showed that the addiction age has increased,whereas the addiction rate has dropped in this region.Most illicit drug users had more than one risk factor such as tattoo and/or a history of imprisonment.CONCLUSION:This study revealed that the most common HCV-infection route and HCV-genotype in southern and southwest Iran was illicit drug abuse and Gt1,respectively.