A convenient method for synthesis of terpyridines via a cooperative vinylogous anomeric based oxidation

The presented study is the first report of the synthesis of terpyridines in the presence of a nanomagnetic catalyst instead of harmful reagents. Herein, Fe₃O₄@O₂PO₂(CH₂)₂NH₃⁺CF₃CO₂⁻ as a retrievable nanocatalyst with magnetic properties was applied for the multi-component reaction between acetylpyridine derivatives (2 or 3 or 4-isomer), aryl aldehydes and ammonium acetate under conventional heating conditions in the absence of any solvent. The derived terpyridines were obtained with acceptable yields and brief reaction times via a cooperative vinylogous anomeric based oxidation route. Fe₃O₄@O₂PO₂(CH₂)₂NH₃⁺CF₃CO₂⁻ showed a high capability for recovery and reuse in the mentioned reaction.

Fe₃O₄@O₂PO₂(CH₂)₂NH₃⁺CF₃CO₂⁻ as a retrievable nanocatalyst with magnetic properties was applied for the one pot preparation of terpyridines with good yields and short reaction times via a cooperative vinylogous anomeric based oxidation mechanism.     

Synthesis of cobalt tetra-2,3-pyridiniumporphyrazinato with sulfonic acid tags as an efficient catalyst and its application for the synthesis of bicyclic ortho-aminocarbonitriles,cyclohexa-1,3-dienamines and 2-amino-3-cyanopyridines

Cobalt tetra-2,3-pyridiniumporphyrazinato with sulfonic acid tag [Co(TPPASO₃H)]Cl was produced and catalyzed the synthesis of ortho-aminocarbonitriles, cyclohexa-1,3-dienamines and 2-amino-3-cyanopyridines. The synthesis of 2-amino-3-cyanopyridines by using [Co(TPPASO₃H)]Cl proceeded via a cooperative vinylogous anomeric based oxidation mechanism. [Co(TPPASO₃H)]Cl can be recycled and reused six times with a marginal decreasing of its catalytic activity.

ortho-Aminocarbonitriles, cyclohexa-1,3-dienamines and 2-amino-3-cyanopyridines were synthesized by [Co(TPPASO₃H)]Cl as an efficient pyridiniumporphyrazinato based catalyst.     

Comparing the Efficacy of Competitive Memory Training (COMET) and MEmory Specificity Training (MEST) on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients

Background

Cancer has been considered a potentially traumatic experience and is a distinct pathway by which one might develop symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study compared the efficacy of COmpetitive MEmory Training (COMET), an intervention aimed at altering dysfunctional self-representations, and MEmory Specificity Training (MEST), an intervention targeting autobiographical memory deficits, on PTSD and depression symptoms. As a secondary aim, we also investigated the effect of COMET and MEST on trauma-related attentional biases.

Methods

Sixty newly diagnosed cancer patients with PTSD were randomly assigned to either the COMET (n = 30) or MEST groups (n = 30). Each participant completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-5, Beck Depression Inventory-II and a dot-probe task. The groups then underwent either COMET or MEST. All the assessments were re-conducted after the treatment (post-treatment) and at three months post-treatment (follow-up).

Results

The COMET group had significantly fewer PTSD and depression symptoms compared to the MEST group at post-training and follow-up. Both groups indicated a significant reduction in attentional biases following training.

Conclusions

This study suggests that COMET is a promising brief intervention for the treatment of PTSD in cancer patients.

     

Chronic Administration of Methylphenidate Induced Degeneration of Spermatogenesis in Adult Male Rats

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal - Apossible mechanism of methylphenidate (MPH) action upon reproductive system, in particular on the fertility rate of male mice, is discussed.     

An overall assessment of circumanal gland adenoma in a terrier mix breed dog

In September 2012, a 10-year-old, intact male, terrier mix breed dog was evaluated because of multiple, 0.5 to 1.2 cm in diameter, round, intradermal nodules around the anus. It had surgery to excise a firm, painful swelling in the left ventrolateral perianal region and the excision part was observed under light microscopy. The mass spreading in to sub acute was of left hind leg out from the ventro-lateral of anus, 1.2 cm×1 cm/ 0 cm×0.5 cm in size and 125 g in weight. A complete blood cell count, serum biochemistry panel, and urinalysis (cystocentesis sample) were evaluated. Significant laboratory data demonstrated microcytic anemia (hemoglobin of 6.4 mg/dL) and normal coagulation times. No remarkable abnormalities were found in the complete blood count and an ionized calcium of 1.91 mmol/L (reference range, 1.1-1.3 mmol/L) was confirmed hypercalcemia. On cytologic and histopathologic examinations, evaluation of the aspirate revealed a prominent population of round-to-polygonal nucleated cells arranged as cohesive groups with isolated individual cells. A mild degree of anisocytosis and anisokaryosis was observed. In addition, smaller reserve type cells, with darker cytoplasm and a higher nucleocytoplasmic ratio. The adenomas generally retain the lobular architecture, but some may contain focal areas of cellular pleomorphism. These changes may suggest malignant transformation and have led to discordant interpretations, the well-developed stroma surrounding the lobules and hepatoid cells was noted. Ulceration, hemorrhage, necrosis and secondary infection with inflammatory cell infiltrates are common. These cytology and histopathology features are consistent with hepatoid gland adenoma.     

Working memory in Farsi-speaking children with normal development and cochlear implant

Aim and background

Working memory has an important role in language acquisition and development of cognition skills. The ability of encoding, storage and retrieval of phonological codes, as activities of working memory, acquired by audition sense. Children with cochlear implant experience a period that they are not able to perceive sounds. In order to assess the effect of hearing on working memory, we investigated working memory as a cognition skill in children with normal development and cochlear implant.

Methods

Fifty students with normal hearing and 50 students with cochlear implant aged 5–7 years participated in this study. Children educated in the preschool, the first and second grades. Children with normal development were matched based on age, gender, and grade of education with cochlear implant.Two components of working memory including phonological loop and central executive were compared between two groups. Phonological loop assessed by nonword repetition task and forward digit span. To assess central executive component backward digit span was used. The developmental trend was studied in children with normal development and cochlear implant as well. The effect of age at implantation in children with cochlear implants on components of working memory was investigated.

Results

There are significant differences between children with normal development and cochlear implant in all tasks that assess working memory (p < 0.001). The children's age at implantation was negatively correlated with all tasks (p < 0.001). In contrast, duration of usage of cochlear implant set was positively correlated with all tasks (p < 0.001). The comparison of working memory between different grades showed significant differences both in children with normal development and in children with cochlear implant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

These results implied that children with cochlear implant may experience difficulties in working memory. Therefore, these children have problems in encoding, practicing, and repeating phonological units. The results also suggested working memory develops when the child grows up. In cochlear implant children, with decreasing age at implantation and increasing their experience in perceiving sound, working memory skills improved.     

A pansharpening method based on modified cartoon plus texture decomposition

In this paper, a new pansharpening method is proposed to obtain high resolution multi spectral image, while preserving spectral signature. Spectral information is considered to be a piecewise smooth area with almost clear boundaries, and is represented in the cartoon space. Spatial information is described by the orthogonal complement of the cartoon space, which is the texture space. Therefore, remote sensing (RS) images can be transferred to a new space by the cartoon plus texture (CPT) decomposition, where spatial and spectral information can be discriminated properly, and pansharpening is done by substituting multispectral texture components with panchromatic texture component. However, cartoon components of the multispectral bands remains unchanged, and the edges and boundaries of the fused image do not sharpen enough. Therefore, we propose a new decomposition model, using the gradient of the panchromatic cartoon component, to fortify boundaries and some important details, while preserving spectral quality. The proposed method is compared with the well-known classic pansharpening methods. Experimental results show that the proposed method has a better performance in terms of both spatial and spectral qualities, however, it is not efficient in terms of computing time.     

Effect of garlic supplementation on complement activity in broiler chickens

Recent studies have demonstrated the potential immuno-modulatory activity of herbal products in human and animals. The present study was performed to elucidate the impact of including fresh garlic powder (FGP) in the diet of broiler chicks on serum alternative pathway of complement activation (APCA) activity, as a functional part of humoral innate immunity. For this, two hundred new-born chicks were divided into three groups: A (50 chicks), B and C (75 each). The chicks in group A were fed control diet, whereas those in groups B and C received diets supplemented with 1% or 3% of FGP, respectively. On day 21, half of the chicks in groups B and C were separated into groups D and E, respectively, and fed control diet afterwards. Sera were collected on days 1, 14, 21, 32 and 42, and assayed for APCA activity. The results showed that APCA activity in groups A and B increased up to day 32 and then decreased (P < 0.05). On day 21, the highest and lowest APCA activities (P < 0.05) were noticed in groups B and C, respectively. On days 32 and 42, group C had the least APCA activity, but the differences among other groups were not significant (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the removal of FGP from the diet led to the improvement of APCA activity in treated groups. In conclusion, garlic supplementation, depending on the rate and period of time used in the diet, may enhance or depress humoral innate immunity in broiler chickens.