The Knoevenagel reaction of malononitrile with acetylacetone: New route of pyrazole,pyrazolo[2,3-C]pyridine,benzene, pyridazine and benzo[C]pyridazine derivatives

The Knoevenagal reaction of malononitrile and acetylacetonegave the acyclic product 3 whichwas separated in a good yield and identified. The reactivity of 3 towards some chemical reagents is studied. Thus, the reaction of 3 with aromatic aldehydes, hydrazines and cyanomethylene derivativesgave products 6–12. Reaction of 3 with benzenediazonium chloridegave the primidine derivative 14.     

Ceftazidime and amikacin as empiric treatment of febrile episodes in neutropenic patients in Saudi Arabia.

Sixty-four consecutive febrile episodes in 50 consecutive patients with malignancy and neutropenia were empirically treated with a combination of ceftazidime and amikacin. Of 52 analysable episodes, the response rate was 59.6% overall and 26.3% of episodes with microbiologically documented infections with septicaemia. Infection-related death occurred in 10 patients (19.2% of episodes). The response rates were similar in patients with acute leukaemia or other malignancies. Poor response is attributed to increased frequency of infections with Gram-positive and fungal organisms. A modified empiric regimen including cover for Gram-positive and fungal organisms is suggested in similar patient populations.     

Seroprevalence of West Nile, Rift Valley, and sandfly arboviruses in Hashimiah, Jordan

We conducted a serosurvey among patients of a health center in Hashimiah, a Jordanian town of 30,000 inhabitants located near a wastewater treatment plant and its effluent channel. Serum samples from 261 patients >/=5 years of age were assessed for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies against West Nile, sandfly Sicilian, sandfly Naples, and Rift Valley viruses; the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies was 8%, 47%, 30%, and 0%, respectively. Female participants were more likely to have been infected than male. Persons living within 2 km of the treatment plant were more likely to have been infected with West Nile (p=0.016) and sandfly Sicilian (p=0.010) viruses. Raising domestic animals within the house was a risk factor for sandfly Sicilian (p=0.003) but not for sandfly Naples virus (p=0.148). All serum samples were negative for IgM antibodies against the tested viruses. Our study is the first documentation of West Nile and sandfly viruses in Jordan and calls attention to the possible health hazards of living close to wastewater treatment plants and their effluent channels.     

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, and anti-ulcerogenic activities of novel synthesized thiazolyl and pyrrolyl steroids

Developing new therapeutic agents that can overcome gastrointestinal injury and at the same time could lead to an enhanced anti‐inflammatory effect becomes an urgent need for inflammation patients. Thiazolyl and pyrrolyl steroids were synthesized via straight forward and efficient methods and their structures were established based on their correct elemental analysis and compatible IR, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, and mass spectral data. The dihydrothiazolyl‐hydrazonoprogesterone 12 and the aminopyrrolylprogesterone 16a showed anti‐inflammatory, antinociceptive, and anti‐ulcerogenic activity with various intensities. Edema were significantly reduced by both doses of tested compounds (25 and 50 mg/kg) at 2, 3, and 4 h post‐carrageenan. The high dose of compound 16a was the most effective in alleviating thermal pain. Gastric mucosal lesions, caused in the rats by the administration of ethanol or indomethacin (IND), were significantly inhibited by each of the two tested compounds. These results provide a unique opportunity to develop new anti‐inflammatory drugs which devoid the ulcerogenic liabilities associated with currently marketed drugs.     

Effects of hand hygiene campaigns on incidence of laboratory-confirmed influenza and absenteeism in schoolchildren, Cairo, Egypt

To evaluate the effectiveness of an intensive hand hygiene campaign on reducing absenteeism caused by influenza-like illness (ILI), diarrhea, conjunctivitis, and laboratory-confirmed influenza, we conducted a randomized control trial in 60 elementary schools in Cairo, Egypt. Children in the intervention schools were required to wash hands twice each day, and health messages were provided through entertainment activities. Data were collected on student absenteeism and reasons for illness. School nurses collected nasal swabs from students with ILI, which were tested by using a qualitative diagnostic test for influenza A and B. Compared with results for the control group, in the intervention group, overall absences caused by ILI, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, and laboratory-confirmed influenza were reduced by 40%, 30%, 67%, and 50%, respectively (p<0.0001 for each illness). An intensive hand hygiene campaign was effective in reducing absenteeism caused by these illnesses.     

Synthesis of pyridine,pyran and thiazole containing thiophene derivatives and their anti-tumor evaluations

The multi-component reaction of 2-acetylthiophene with aromatic aldehydes and either malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate gave the pyran derivatives 4a–4f and pyridine derivatives 5a–5f. On the other hand, the reaction of the 2-acetylthiophene with elemental sulfur and either malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate gave the thiophene derivatives 6a and 6b; respectively. Compounds 6a and 6b underwent a series of heterocyclic reactions to give thiazole and thiophene derivatives. All the products were assessed for antitumor activity towards human cancer human gastric cancer (NUGC and HR), human colon cancer (DLD1), human liver cancer (HA22T and HEPG2), human breast cancer (MCF), nasopharyngeal carcinoma (HONE1) cell lines. Compounds 4e, 4f, 5e, 5f, 7b, 8b, 10e, 10f, 11e, 11f, 14d-f, 15d-f, 16a,b and 18b exhibited optimal cytotoxic effect against cancer cell lines, with IC₅₀’s in the nM range. Moreover, 7b, 10e, 14d, 15e and 16b showed no toxicity against shrimp larvae. Anti-proliferative cell activity against cancer cell lines of the most potent compounds showed that compounds 5f and 10e achieved the highest activities among the tested compounds.