Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, X-ray structure, and in vitro antitumor activities of new triorganotin(IV) complexes with sulfur donor ligand

The discovery of the anticancer properties of cisplatin promoted a great deal of interest in the area of metal-based antitumor agents. With this aim, a new series of triorganotin(IV) derivatives: Ph₃SnL (1), BZ₃SnL (2), where L = morpholine-1-carbodithioate (MCDT) have been synthesized by the reaction of triorganotin(IV) chlorides with the ligand-salt in the appropriate molar ratio. All the complexes have been characterized by FT-IR, ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy. In addition, the molecular structure of complex 1 was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction study. X-ray crystallographic analysis shows that in the compound [Ph₃Sn(MCDT)], the Sn ion is in a four-coordinate environment with a dithiocarbamate ligand coordinated to the tin(IV) in a monodentate fashion through the sulfur atom. Furthermore, the cytotoxic activity of the free ligand (MCDT) as well as its triorganotin(IV) complexes were tested against tumor cell lines human cervix carcinoma HeLa, human myelogenous leukemia K562 and normal immunocompetent cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells PBMC. The cytotoxic results indicate that coupling of MCDT with R₃Sn(IV) metal center results in a complex with important biological properties and remarkable cytotoxic activity, since we observe IC₅₀ values better to that of the antitumor drug cisplatin.     

Analysis of endometrial myeloid and lymphoid dendritic cells during mouse estrous cycle

This study was performed to evaluate the frequency and localization of endometrial myeloid (CD11c(+) CD11b(+)) and lymphoid (CD11c(+) CD8alpha(+)) dendritic cells (DCs) at different stages of murine estrous cycle. To address the systemic effect of ovarian hormones fluctuations during estrous cycle, the same variables were studied in splenic DCs as well. Stages of the estrous cycle of Balb/c mice were determined by examination of vaginal smears. Frozen sections of uterus and spleen at each stage of estrous cycle were stained for CD11c and MHC-II. Two-color immunohistochemistry was also carried out using anti-CD11c with one of the antibodies against CD11b, CD8alpha, CD86, and DEC-205. The average density of DCs and relative percentage of myeloid and lymphoid DCs (MDCs and LDCs) were determined at each stage of estrous cycle by morphometric analysis. Our results showed that DCs were present throughout the estrous cycle in mice endometrium, but their frequency was highest at estrus and lowest at proestrus (P<0.005). The lymphoid subset of DCs was more prominent at estrus relative to those at other stages (P<0.005). Conversely, the relative percentage of myeloid DCs at estrus was significantly lower compared to other stages (P<0.005). Nearly all endometrial and splenic DCs expressed CD86 and MHC-II. At proestrus, and particularly at estrus, DCs were more concentrated subadjacent to the luminal and glandular epithelial layers with some scattered throughout the stroma whereas, at metestrus and diestrus, DCs were randomly distributed in stroma and around the glandular and luminal epithelial layers. The number and immunophenotype of splenic DCs were not statistically different between stages of estrous cycle. Our results suggest that endometrial but not splenic myeloid and lymphoid DCs are influenced by steroid hormones during estrous cycle.     

Exploring brain connectivity changes in major depressive disorder using functional‐structural data fusion: A CAN‐BIND‐1 study

There is a growing interest in examining the wealth of data generated by fusing functional and structural imaging information sources. These approaches may have clinical utility in identifying disruptions in the brain networks that underlie major depressive disorder (MDD). We combined an existing software toolbox with a mathematically dense statistical method to produce a novel processing pipeline for the fast and easy implementation of data fusion analysis (FATCAT‐awFC). The novel FATCAT‐awFC pipeline was then utilized to identify connectivity (conventional functional, conventional structural and anatomically weighted functional connectivy) changes in MDD patients compared to healthy comparison participants (HC). Data were acquired from the Canadian Biomarker Integration Network for Depression (CAN‐BIND‐1) study. Large‐scale resting‐state networks were assessed. We found statistically significant anatomically‐weighted functional connectivity (awFC) group differences in the default mode network and the ventral attention network, with a modest effect size (d < 0.4). Functional and structural connectivity seemed to overlap in significance between one region‐pair within the default mode network. By combining structural and functional data, awFC served to heighten or reduce the magnitude of connectivity differences in various regions distinguishing MDD from HC. This method can help us more fully understand the interconnected nature of structural and functional connectivity as it relates to depression.     

Treatment of culture-negative skull base osteomyelitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a therapeutic regimen in the treatment of patients with culture-negative skull base osteomyelitis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary referral hospital. PATIENTS: Eight patients with diabetes mellitus presented with otalgia and were found to have positive technetium and gallium scans of the temporal bone. These patients, however, all had negative cultures of their external auditory canals. All patients had been treated with ototopic drops and two patients had undergone a 2-week course of oral quinolones. INTERVENTIONS: All patients were treated with a 6-week course of intravenous ceftazidime or aztreonam for penicillin-allergic patients, oral ciprofloxacin at a higher dose than normal, and topical aminoglycoside steroid drops. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Resolution of the temporal bone gallium scan abnormality, recurrence rate, and time to discharge from the hospital. RESULTS: The patients were discharged from the hospital within 4 days from admission. All patients showed resolution of the temporal bone abnormality on the gallium scan at the 6-week time point. The median follow-up period was 6 months, and none of the patients had a recurrence of the infection. CONCLUSION: The above-described treatment regimen will result in a high cure rate and a short hospitalization period.     

The Impact of Interleukin (IL)-33 Gene Polymorphisms and Environmental Factors on Risk of Asthma in the Iranian Population

Background

Airway epithelial cells secrete Interleukin-33 in response to the different allergens. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of this cytokine have been reported to be involved in the development of asthma. We conducted this study to evaluate the impact of the two most common SNPs of the IL-33 gene (rs1342326 and rs3939286) and environmental factors on the susceptibility to asthma in the Iranian population.

Subjects and Methods

In this study, we enrolled 126 asthmatics patients and 300 age, sex-matched controls. Genotyping was performed by real-time PCR using the TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. Moreover, total serum IgE level, eosinophil count, and skin prick test were accomplished and complete history was taken from all the participants.

Results

The frequencies of mutant genotypes in both SNPs were significantly higher in asthmatics than controls. C/C genotype of rs1342326 [OR (95% CI) 2.50 (1.33–4.69)] and A/A genotype of rs3939286 [OR (95% CI) 2.18 (1.05–4.52)] were associated with higher risk of asthma development. While A/C+C/C genotype of rs1342326 was more prevalent in mild asthma [OR (95% CI) 2.36 (1.14–4.89)], G/A+A/A genotype of rs3939286 was associated with increased risk of moderate and severe asthma [OR (95% CI) 2.53 (1.30–4.94)].

Conclusion

This study revealed that both IL-33 SNPs were associated with an increased risk of asthma. The rs1342326 was associated with atopic, mild and adult-onset asthma and a higher level of eosinophils in peripheral blood. However, rs3939286 was more frequent in moderate and severe asthma. Moreover, rs3939286 was associated with non-atopic and childhood-onset asthma.

     

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) is an idiopathic disorder (vasculitis) restricted to the central nervous system (CNS). It often presents with focal neurological deficits suggesting stroke or a combination of confusion and headache. We herein report three cases with various combinations of fever, partial seizure, encephalopathy, paresis, headache and ataxia. One of them was initially treated as herpes simplex meningoencephalitis, but further investigations revealed primary angiitis. Primary angiitis of the CNS has protean manifestations and should always be considered in patients suspicious to have CNS infection or stroke, particularly who does not respond to the routine treatments. Clinical data, exclusion of differential diagnoses and typical angiography seem to be enough to justify the diagnosis in the majority of cases.     

Structural Performance of EB-FRP-Strengthened RC T-Beams Subjected to Combined Torsion and Shear Using ANN

This research study applied Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to predict and evaluate the structural responses of externally bonded FRP (EB-FRP)-strengthened RC T-beams under combined torsion and shear. Previous studies proved that, compared to reinforced concrete (RC) rectangular beams, RC T-beams performance in shear is significantly higher in structural analysis and design. The structural response of RC beams experiences a critical change while torsion moments are applied in load conditions. Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) is used to retrofit the structural elements due to changing structural design codes and loadings, especially in earthquake-prone countries. We applied Finite Element Method (FEM) software, ABAQUS, to provide a precise numerical database of a set of experimentally tested FRP-retrofitted RC T-beams in previous research works. ANN predicted structural analysis results and Mean Square Error (MSE) and Multiple Determination Coefficients (R2) proved the accuracy of this study. The MSE values that were less than 0.0009 and R2 values greater than 0.9960 showed that the ANN precisely fits the data. The consistency between analyzed experimental and numerical results demonstrated the accurate implication of ANN, MSE, and R2 in predicting the structural responses of EB-FRP- strengthened RC T-beams.     

Application of Deep Learning in Generating Structured Radiology Reports: A Transformer-Based Technique

Journal of Digital Imaging - Since radiology reports needed for clinical practice and research are written and stored in free-text narrations, extraction of relative information for further...