Combined experimental and computational study of Al2O3 catalyzed transamidation of secondary amides with amines.

Amides are the most extensively used substances in both synthetic organic and bioorganic chemistry. Unfortunately, the traditional synthesis of amides suffers from some important drawbacks, including low atom efficiency, high catalyst loading, separation of products from the reaction mixture and production of byproducts. Al2O3 is an amphoteric catalyst that activates the carbonyl carbon of the secondary amide group and helps the C-N cleavage of the reactant amide group by attacking the N-H hydrogen. By using the concepts of amphoteric properties of Al2O3, amides were synthesized from secondary amides and amines in the presence of triethylamine solvent. Several aliphatic and aromatic amines were used for the transamidation of N-methylbenzamide in the presence of the Al2O3 catalyst. Moreover, using the Gaussian09 software at the DFT level, HUMO, LUMO and the intrinsic reaction coordinates (IRCs) have also been calculated to find out the transition state of the reaction and energy. In this study, five successful compounds were synthesized by the transamidation of secondary amides with amines using a reusable Al2O3 catalyst. The catalyst was reused several times with no significant loss in its catalytic activity. The products were purified by recrystallization and column chromatography techniques. This catalytic method is effective for the simultaneous activation of the carbonyl group and N-H bond by using the Al2O3 catalyst.

Patient satisfaction level and its determinants after admission in public and private tertiary care hospitals in Bangladesh.

Introduction: Patient satisfaction is an important indicator of the quality of care provided by health care facilities. The objective of this study was to investigate the rate of satisfaction and its associated factors among the patients admitted to tertiary care hospitals in Bangladesh. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a public and two private tertiary care hospitals in Bangladesh in December 2019, including 923 consecutive patients admitted to medical and surgical departments. Face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire was conducted to collect patient-level data. Logistic regression models were used to determine the factors associated with patients' satisfaction. Results: Patients' overall satisfaction level was 65% (51% in public and 75% in private hospitals) with a satisfaction rate of 63% in hospital staff courtesy, 56.5% in a hospital environment, 67% in physician care, 63% in general patient satisfaction, and 58% in patient's family care. Private hospitals (aOR 3.64, 95% CI 2.2-6.03), conservative management (aOR 3.34, 95% CI 2.10-5.33), shorter hospital stay (aOR 1.58, 95% CI 1.05-2.37) and perceived improvement after treatment (aOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.01-2.76) were associated with patients' satisfaction. In contrast, patients' accommodation on the floor (aOR 0.38, aOR 0.22-0.66) and high health care costs (aOR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.99) were associated with patients' dissatisfaction with the in-patient service they received in both public and private hospitals. Conclusion: Almost two-thirds of the patients were satisfied with the inpatient service they received, though, the satisfaction rate was higher in private hospitals. Treatment modality, cost, and outcome, as well as hospital environment like accommodation, were associated with their satisfaction level.

Direct Synthesis of Diamides from Dicarboxylic Acids with Amines Using Nb2O5 as a Lewis Acid Catalyst and Molecular Docking Studies as Anticancer Agents.

Several Lewis and Bronsted acid catalysts were tested for the synthesis of some targeted diamides with anticancer activity from dicarboxylic acids and amines under the same reaction condition. Among those catalysts, Nb2O5 showed the highest catalytic activity to the corresponding diamides. Nb2O5 shows water- and base-tolerant properties for which it gives the highest yield of the synthesized products. Here, we present a novel and sustainable method for the direct synthesis of diamides with anticancer activity using a reusable heterogeneous catalyst Nb2O5. A molecular docking study was performed for all of the synthesized compounds with various therapeutical targets of cancer and found that the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) has shown a significant dock score for our synthesized products. After obtaining the best pose from molecular docking, the complex is used for molecular dynamics study by running simulations for 10 ns. The root-mean-square deviations (RMSDs) of α carbon atoms of all systems are analyzed to detect their stability. This method is effective for the direct synthesis of diamides as anticancer agents from dicarboxylic acids and amines using Nb2O5 as a base-tolerant heterogeneous catalyst.

Bishop Koop conversion of temporary stoma can be an option to establish gut continuity early when primary anastomosis is not safe.

Background: Intestinal perforation and sometimes obstruction in neonates demand diverting stomas which are associated with fluid, electrolytes and nutrient loss. Early establishment of gut continuity is the key to the best outcome, though primary anastomosis is not always safe. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Bishop Koop stoma in establishing early continuity of gut and confirming the function of distal gut. Methods: Data of patients who underwent Bishop Koop conversion of diverting stoma from July 2016 to June 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic and outcome data were recorded and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) V.22 software. Ethical permission was taken from hospital ethical committee. Results: 29 patients were included (16 male and 13 female). Mean age of conversion was 5.8±2.5 months and mean weight was 4.9±1.6. Normal bowel movement was established in 26 patients. One patient died of sepsis on sixth postoperative day and one had anastomotic leakage. There was no significant difference with respect to outcome between perforation and obstruction group. Bishop Koop stomas were closed after 6 weeks of formation. Conclusions: Bishop Koop conversion of temporary stoma was turned out as a good choice for these patients.

Genetic diversity of the bacterial wilt pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum using a RAPD marker.

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a destructive disease of many economically important crop species. A significant variation in wilt incidence and severity in eggplant and potato was observed among the growing areas surveyed. R. solanacearum isolates obtained both from eggplant and potato belong to biovar III, while isolates from eggplant belong to race 1 and isolates obtained from potato belong to race 3. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used as a tool for assessing genetic variation and relationship among seven isolate groups of R. solanacearum viz., RsB-1, RsB-2, RsB-3, RsP-1, RsP-2, RsP-3 and RsP-4, consisting in a total of 28 isolates. Out of the RAPD markers used, amplification with four decamer primers produced 70 bands with sizes ranging from 100 to 1400 bp. Out of 70 bands, 68 bands (97.06%) were polymorphic and two bands (2.94%) were monomorphic amongst the seven R. solanacearum isolates group. The Unweighted Pair Group Method of Arithmetic Means (UPGMA) dendrogram constructed from Nei's genetic distance produced two main clusters of the seven isolates of R. solanacearum. The isolates RsB-1, RsB-2, RsB-3 and R-4 grouped in cluster І, while RsP-2, RsP-3 and RsP-4 grouped in cluster ІІ. The highest intra-variety similarity index (Si) was found in RsB-1 isolate (86.35%) and the lowest one in RsP-2 (56.59%). The results indicated that relatively higher and lower levels of genetic variation were found in RsP-3 and RsB-3, respectively. The coefficient of gene differentiation (G(st)) was 0.5487, reflecting the existence of a high level of genetic variations among seven isolates of R. solanacearum. Comparatively higher genetic distance (0.4293) and lower genetic identity (0.6510) were observed between RsB-2 and RsP-4 combinations. The lowest genetic distance (0.0357) and highest genetic identity (0.9650) were found in RsB-1 vs. RsB-2 pair. Thus, RAPD offers a potentially simple, rapid and reliable method to evaluate genetic diversity analysis in R. solanacearum.

Versatile and sustainable synthesis of cyclic imides from dicarboxylic acids and amines by Nb2O5 as a base-tolerant heterogeneous Lewis acid catalyst.

Catalytic condensation of dicarboxylics acid and amines without excess amount of activating reagents is the most atom-efficient but unprecedented synthetic method of cyclic imides. Here we present the first general catalytic method, proceeding selectively and efficiently in the presence of a commercial Nb2 O5 as a reusable and base-tolerant heterogeneous Lewis acid catalyst. The method is effective for the direct synthesis of pharmaceutically or industrially important cyclic imides, such as phensuximide, N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI), and unsubstituted cyclic imides from dicarboxylic acid or anhydrides with amines, hydroxylamine, or ammonia.

Distally-based sural island flap for soft tissue coverage of ankle and heel defects.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of heel and ankle reconstruction with distally-based sural island flap. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The study was carried out in Plastic Surgery Department, Chittagong Medical College Hospital, from January 2007 to April 2009. METHODOLOGY: Twenty two subjects with soft tissue defect of heel and ankle requiring coverage were included in the study. The flap was first outlined on the posterior aspect of leg at the junction of upper and middle-third. Having incision made over the designed flap and along the line of the fascial pedicle, the vessels and the nerve were ligated at the proximal margin and severed. The skin island was elevated with the deep fascia. The sub-cutaneous fascial pedicle was then raised, with a width of 2.5 cm to include the sural nerve and vessels. The recipient defect was covered after tunneling the island flap. The donor site was closed directly when the wound was less wide and with a split skin graft when the wound was large. Results were analyzed in terms of graft acceptance and complications determined as percentage frequencies. RESULTS: Of the 22 patients, 15 had uneventful recovery with almost complete take of flaps. Although 5 patients showed marginal necrosis initially, they later on healed by secondary intention without requiring any secondary graft coverage. The rest two had a marked loss of flap in the peripheral part and required secondary graft coverage. Immediate venous congestion was commonly encountered which disappeared within a few days. There were no delayed complaints regarding sensation of the flaps. CONCLUSION: Distally-based sural island flap can be performed as a one-step procedure without sacrifice of any major artery. It is reliable, safe and should be the choice for reconstruction of ankle and heel defects.

Biological variables in height growth of Japanese twins: a comparison with those of singletons.

BACKGROUND: Biological variables in height growth in Japanese singletons are well documented, but there has been less research on Japanese twins. AIM: The study investigated the biological variables in height growth of Japanese twins and compared them with those of Japanese singletons. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Samples of 92 boys and 99 girls from monozygotic twins, and 41 boys and 38 girls from dizygotic twins born in 1960-1973, from the Twin Class in the Junior and Senior High Schools affiliated to the University of Tokyo, Japan, were considered. The Bayes modal estimation method was applied to the triphasic generalized logistic growth model (BTT model). From the fitted model, the biological variables were extracted. RESULTS: The monozygotic twins, on average, matured earlier than dizygotic twins, but later than singletons. Until pre-adolescence, the height velocity of twin children is lower than that of singleton children. This results in the final stature of twin youths being smaller than that of singleton youths. The twins are, on average, about 2.6 cm smaller than singletons in final height only due to the lower velocity during birth to pre-adolescence. Comparing with the average final stature of dizygotic children, the boys were 3.9 cm and the girls were 2.8 cm shorter than Japanese late-maturing boys and girls, respectively. For monozygotic children, the boys were 3.8 cm and the girls were 3.0 cm shorter than the respective Japanese late-matured singleton boys and girls. CONCLUSION: The biological variables of twins differ significantly from those of singletons. It is important to recognize that singleton reference values do not correctly reflect the growth of twins.

Estimation of maximum increment age in height and weight during adolescence and the effect of World War II.

An attempt was made to estimate the maximum increment age (MIA) in height and weight of Japanese boys and girls during the birth years 1893-1990 through the published data of the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture in Japan. In cases where the same maximum annual increment occurred in two or three successive age classes in a birth year cohort, a new formula (see Eq. 2) was developed to estimate the MIA. The existing formula for estimating MIA was modified to remove the mathematical deficiency (Eq. 1). Estimated MIA shows an overall declining trend, except in birth year cohorts 1934-1951. The effect of World War II on MIA was investigated by a dummy variable regression model. On average, during the birth years 1934-1951, MIA in height decelerated by 1.35 years in boys and 0.54 year in girls, while MIA in weight decelerated by 0.95 year in boys and 0.78 year in girls. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 12:363-370, 2000. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Secular changes in relative leg length in post-war Japan.

Longitudinal secular changes of height and estimated leg length (ELL) or subischial leg length of Japanese boys and girls were investigated using data published in "The Statistical Report of the School Health Survey" of the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture, Japan. A significant trend towards greater relative leg length (long-leggedness) among Japanese children and youth has occurred during the period of about four decades covered by this study. After showing a strikingly consistent trend at all age levels between 6 and 17 years and a dramatic trend during the birth-year age period 1943-1963, the relative growth in leg length has been rapidly slowing or has stopped in both sexes. The relative growth of ELL seemed to be fixed after 11 years in boys and 9 years in girls. Maximum increment ages (MIA), both in height and ELL, were used as estimates of the timing of maximum growth during the adolescent spurt. Regression analysis was used to demonstrate the overall trend patterns of MIA in height and ELL. After removing autocorrelation effects, MIA for height is accelerated by 0.03 year in both sexes, while the MIA in ELL is accelerated by 0.03 year in boys and 0.01 year in girls. Thus, MIA in ELL in girls is occurring earlier but to a smaller extent than in boys. The average maturity difference between boys and girls is 2.07 years in height, but 2.83 years in lower extremity length. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 12:405-416, 2000. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Secular trends for takeoff and maximum adolescent growth for eight decades of Japanese cohort data.

The presence of secular trends in the onset or takeoff of the adolescent growth spurt and subsequent adolescent growth of Japanese boys and girls were investigated using data published in "The Statistical Report of the School Health Survey" by the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture, Japan. An optimum kernel regression method was used to derive the biological parameters of the adolescent growth curve. An increasing trend in height at takeoff (i.e., height at the onset of the adolescent growth spurt) and height at peak height velocity (PHV) among Japanese children was evident during the 8 decades covered in this study. Age at PHV (i.e., the timing of the maximum adolescent growth) for each sex has decreased. Age at takeoff (i.e., the timing of the onset of the adolescent growth spurt) has decreased in boys during this century, but was almost constant in girls at about 7.8 years of age. Moreover, the interval between age at takeoff and age at PHV in girls has gradually decreased over this century. Since the birth year 1915, velocity at takeoff for girls was markedly greater than that for boys, whereas peak height velocity for girls was significantly less than that for boys (P < 0.05). Am. J. Hum. Biol. 12:702-712, 2000. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.