Synthesis and anticholinesterase activity of new substituted benzo[d]oxazole‐based derivatives

A series of novel benzo[d]oxazole derivatives ( 6a–n ) have been synthesized and biologically evaluated as potential inhibitors of acetylcholinesterases (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The chemical structures of all final compounds were confirmed by spectroscopic methods. In vitro studies showed that most of the synthesized compounds are potent acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors. Among them, compounds 6a and 6j strongly inhibited AChE and BChE activities with IC₅₀ values of 1.03–1.35 and 6.6–8.1 μm , respectively. Docking studies also provided the binding modes of action and identified hydrophobic pi forces as the main interaction.     

An open-label phase 1 clinical trial of the allogeneic side population adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in SMA type 1 patients

Neurological Sciences - Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder of alpha motor neurons of spinal cord associated with progressive muscle weakness and...     

Hospital-acquired infections in a tertiary hospital in Iran before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift - Infection prevention protocols are the accepted standard to control nosocomial infections. These protective measures intensified after the coronavirus 2019...     

Measurement of the mechanical properties of soccer balls using digital image correlation method

There are some features for an approved soccer ball by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), such as properties of the material, mass, pressure, stitches, etc. Many of these features up to now have been studied; nevertheless, the mechanical properties of the soccer balls to date have not been well reported. The chief purposes of the current research, hence, were to calculate the mechanical properties of the soccer balls, i.e., linear elastic, nonlinear hyperelastic, and viscoelastic, at two different sizes, including 4 and 5 which are using for football and futsal, respectively. To do this, compressive and stress-relaxation loading were applied to 38 approved soccer balls to quantify the stress–strain as well as reduced relaxation function of the balls. The strain/displacement of the balls was also measured via a high-speed camera using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique. The results revealed the mean elastic modulus of 66 and 67 kPa for the football and futsal balls, respectively. In addition, the maximum stresses of the football and futsal balls were 16 and 13 kPa, respectively. The nonlinear mechanical response of the soccer balls were analyzed using hyperelastic material models, i.e., Mooney-Rivlin and Ogden. A Finite Element (FE) model was also developed to verify the hyperelastic data compared to the experimental ones and, remarkably, the numerical data were in consistence with the experimental data. Finally, Prony- series was employed to quantify the viscoelastic properties of the balls. During the game, a soccer ball can reach to a speed of 210 km/h that can damage the human eye; however, the injury detail still has not been studied.     

Evaluation of Onlay Island Flap Technique in Shallow Urethral Plate Hypospadiasis

Background:

Hypospadias is one of the most common congenital genital anomalies in males that necessitates to be operated early in infancy (when 6 to 9 months old). On the other hand, hypospadias is a challenging field of pediatric urology with multiple reconstruction techniques. A perfect hypospadias repair is supposed to return urethral continuity with sufficient caliber, eradicate phallus curvature, and supply an acceptable appearance with low complications.

Objectives:

This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of using onlay island flap technique in the repair of hypospadias with shallow urethral plate.

Patients and Methods:

In this prospective study within June 2012 to December 2013, we performed onlay island flap procedure to repair hypospadias with shallow urethral plate measuring less than 6 millimeter. This technique was selected for all types of hypospadiasis except subcoronal type. Nesbit’s dorsal plication procedure was established for chordee. In cases with very small glans, urethroplasty was performed without glansplasty.

Results:

Twenty three patients with mean age of 30 (range 10 - 60) months underwent onlay island flap repair; all had a shallow urethral plate < 6 mm, 3 had a very small glans, and 18 had chordee. Meatus was located in distal shaft in 5 cases, mid shaft in 8, proximal in 6 and penoscrotal type in 4 patients. Chordee was corrected with Nesbit’s dorsal plication in 16 cases. Complications were: meatal stenosis in 2 cases and urethrocutaneous fistula in 2 patients, all of which were repaired surgically. Mean follow up time was 13 (3 - 20) months. All cases that had glansplasty have excellent esthetic appearance.

Conclusions:

This technique offers acceptable results regarding meatal stenosis, urethrocutaneous fistula and esthetic outcome.     

Effects of GABAergic inhibition on neocortical long-term potentiation in the chronically prepared rat

In this study we investigated the hypothesis whether P2-related differences tested in a visual priming paradigm are associated with theta phase-locking. We recorded the EEG from 31 electrodes and calculated phase-locking index and total power differences for frequencies between 2 and 20 Hz. ERPs (event-related potentials) were analyzed for P1, N1 and P2 components. P2 showed strongest task-related amplitude differences between congruent and incongruent targets. A source analyses was performed for the P2 component using sLoreta that revealed local generators of the P2 in parieto-occipital regions. Phase-locking analyses showed specific effects in the theta range (4-6 Hz) appearing in time windows at around the P2 component. We draw the conclusion that phase-locked theta reflect top-down regulation processes mediating information between memory systems and is in part involved in the modulation of the P2 component.     

Role of glutamatergic receptors located in the nucleus raphe magnus on antinociceptive effect of morphine microinjected into the nucleus cuneiformis of rat

Neurons in the nucleus cuneiformis (CnF), located just ventrolateral to the periaqueductal gray, project to medullary nucleus raphe magnus (NRM), which is a key medullary relay for descending pain modulation and is critically involved in opioid-induced analgesia. Previous studies have shown that antinociceptive response of CnF-microinjected morphine can be modulated by the specific subtypes of glutamatergic receptors within the CnF. In this study, we evaluated the role of NMDA and kainate/AMPA receptors that are widely distributed within the NRM on morphine-induced antinociception elicited from the CnF. Hundred and five male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g were used. Morphine (10, 20 and 40 microg) and NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801 (10 microg) or kainate/AMPA receptor antagonist, DNQX (0.5 microg) in 0.5 microl saline were stereotaxically microinjected into the CnF and NRM, respectively. The latency of tail-flick response was measured at set intervals (2, 7, 12, 17, 22, 27 min after microinjection) by using an automated tail-flick analgesiometer. The results showed that morphine microinjection into the CnF dose-dependently causes increase in tail-flick latency (TFL). MK-801 microinjected into the NRM, just 1 min before morphine injection into the CnF, significantly attenuated antinociceptive effects of morphine. On the other hand, DNQX microinjected into the NRM, significantly increased TFL after local application of morphine into the CnF. We suggest that morphine related antinociceptive effect elicited from the CnF is mediated, in part, by NMDA receptor at the level of the NRM whereas kainite/AMPA receptor has a net inhibitory influence at the same pathway.     

Localization and variable expression of G alpha(i2) in human endometrium and Fallopian tubes

BACKGROUND: Heterotrimeric G proteins take part in membrane-mediated cell signalling and have a role in hormonal regulation. This study clarifies the expression and localization of the G protein subunit G alpha(i2) in the human endometrium and Fallopian tube and changes in G alpha(i2) expression in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle. METHODS: The expression of G alpha(i2) was identified by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and localization confirmed by immunostaining. Cyclic changes in G alpha(i2) expression during the menstrual cycle were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: We found G alpha(i2) to be expressed in human endometrium, Fallopian tube tissue and in primary cultures of Fallopian tube epithelial cells. Our studies revealed enriched localization of G alpha(i2) in Fallopian tube cilia and in endometrial glands. We showed that G alpha(i2) expression in human endometrium changes significantly during the menstrual cycle, with a higher level in the secretory versus proliferative and menstrual phases (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: G alpha(i2) is specifically localized in human Fallopian tube epithelial cells, particularly in the cilia, and is likely to have a cilia-specific role in reproduction. Significantly variable expression of G alpha(i2) during the menstrual cycle suggests G alpha(i2) might be under hormonal regulation in the female reproductive tract in vivo.