Bile salt incorporated polypyrrole thin film for ethanol sensing.

Polypyrrole (PPy)-bile salt composite was used for sensing ethanol vapor. PPy was synthesized by interface polymerization for subsequent fabrication of thin film of its composite with bile salt, by in-situ co-dispersion method and then exposed to ethanol vapour. Sensing was visualized through changes in morphological, structural and optical characterizations. The ethanol exposed film showed larger agglomeration as revealed in its surface morphology on scanning electron microscope (SEM) and greater crystallinity as seen through X-Ray diffraction (XRD). Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) of the ethanol incorporated film also gave signature of the presence of bile salt and alcohol. Alcohol incorporation pattern resulted in increase in electrical conductance from 7.08539 × 10-5 mA/V to 8.0356 × 10-5 mA/V, as determined from current voltage characterizations. Average molecular weight (Mn) obtained from gel permeation chromatography changed from 6160 to 10300 on ethanol intake. Photoluminescence (PL) intensity was quenched and the PL peak shifted from 430 to 409 on ethanol exposure. Changes in morphological, structural, optical and electrical properties of the composite on ethanol exposure showed its prospective application for sensing ethanol.

[Effect of atorvastatin on indices of chronic asthma in patients under treatment with high dose inhaled steroid or oral steroid]

Statins are the most common type of cholesterol- lowering drugs which have anti-inflammatory properties that may be beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as asthma. Regarding to examine new medications for asthma management due to the side effects of existing routine asthma treatments, statins are one of drugs which have been suggested recently. Effect of atorvastating on lung function and airway inflammation. In this triple blind clinical trial study sixty seven patients with moderate to severe asthma were entered. They were divided to two groups randomly. Case group were treatment by oral atorvastatin 40 mg daily and control group were treatment by placebo on lung function. Patients were visited and their lung volumes [FEV1, FVC, FEV1/ FVC, FEF25-75%] and inflammatory biomarkers [ESR, Hs-CRP] and asthma control questionnaire score were measured every 4 weeks during the course. Fifty patients completed the study. Data was analyzed by chi[2], t-test and Mann-Whitney test. P value <0.04 was significant. There were no significant differences in lung volumes and inflammatory biomarkers between atorvastatin and placebo groups. We observed significant differences in the trend of lung volumes include FEV1, FEV1/FVC and FEF 25-75% in each of the atorvastatin and placebo groups during the course of study [p<0.001] but there were no significant difference between them. There were significant differences in the trend of asthma control according to asthma control questionnaires in each of atorvastatin and placebo groups during the course [p<0.001]. According to this study, atorvastatin does not show any significant anti-inflammatory activity in patients with moderate to severe asthma therefore it could not be beneficial for the short term treatment of asthma. But it seems that regular visit and patient education could lead to better asthma control

Reactions with mleimides X+: Synthesis of several new pyrrolidino-and pyrrolo [4,3-b] furochromone derivatives for biological activity screening

Several new pyrrolidino- and pyrrolo-[4, 3-b] furochromone derivatives were synthesized via the dipolar cycloaddition reactions of some styrylfurochromones with N-arylmaleimide and subsequent dehydrogenation. Structures are confirmed by elemental analysis and spectral data studies