Are Craniofacial Asymmetries Related to Trunk Asymmetries?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether craniofacial asymmetries could be a predictor of spine asymmetries or not. METHODS: Female individuals aged between 18 and 25 years participated in this cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study. The angle of trunk rotation was measured by a scoliometer in conjunction with the Adams forward-bending test. Individuals in the control group (n = 57) had spinal curvature of 0 to 3 degrees, and individuals in the study group (n = 53) had spinal curvature of between 4 and 6 degrees. Facial anthropometric measurements of individuals were evaluated by referencing anatomical landmarks determined on the face with 2-dimensional photogrammetry using ImageJ (Version 1.53q) program. RESULTS: Both groups were similar in terms of facial measurements (P > 0.05). Axial trunk rotation values of the mid-thoracic and thoraco-lumbar regions were significantly higher on both sides of the asymmetry group (P < 0.05). The distances between facial landmarks are not associated with asymmetries of spine regions (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although the sensitivity and predictive value of facial asymmetries in determining trunk asymmetries and sagittal spinal posture were low, it was concluded that comparative studies are needed, especially in individuals with asymmetry at the level of scoliosis, as the asymmetries of the individuals in our study were not at the level of scoliosis.

Design and synthesis of thiourea-based derivatives as Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth and enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA) inhibitors.

Tuberculosis remains the most deadly infectious disease worldwide due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Hence, there is a great need for more efficient treatment regimens. Herein, we carried out rational molecular modifications on the chemical structure of the urea-based co-crystallized ligand of enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA) (PDB code: 5OIL). Although this compound fulfills all structural requirements to interact with InhA, it does not inhibit the enzyme effectively. With the aim of improving the inhibition value, we synthesized thiourea-based derivatives by one-pot reaction of the amines with corresponding isothiocyanates. After the structural characterization using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FTIR and HRMS, the obtained compounds were initially tested for their abilities to inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth. The results revealed that some compounds exhibited promising antitubercular activity, MIC values at 0.78 and 1.56 µg/mL, combined with low cytotoxicity. Moreover, the most active compounds were tested against latent as well as dormant forms of the bacteria utilizing nutrient starvation model and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infected macrophage assay. Enzyme inhibition assay against enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase identified InhA as the important target of some compounds. Molecular docking studies were performed to correlate InhA inhibition data with in silico results. Finally, theoretical calculations were established to predict the physicochemical properties of the most active compounds.

Discovery of hydrazone containing thiadiazoles as Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth and enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA) inhibitors.

Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a serious infectious disease and remains a global health problem. There is an increasing need for the discovery of novel therapeutic agents for its treatment due to the emerging multi-drug resistance. Herein, we present the rational design and the synthesis of eighteen new thiadiazolylhidrazones (TDHs) which were synthesized by intramolecular oxidative N-S bond formation reaction of 2-benzylidene-N-(phenylcarbamothioyl)hydrazine-1-carboximidamide derivatives by phenyliodine(III) bis(trifluoroacetate) (PIFA) under mild conditions. The compounds were characterized by various spectral techniques including FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS. Furthermore, the proposed structure of TDH12 was resolved by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antitubercular activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv. Among them, some compounds exhibited remarkable antimycobacterial activity, MIC = 0.78-6.25 µg/mL, with low cytotoxicity. Additionally, the most active compounds were screened for their biological activities against M. tuberculosis in the nutrient starvation model. Enzyme inhibition assays and molecular docking studies revealed enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA) as the possible target enzyme of the compounds to show their antitubercular activities.

Evaluation of increased incubation temperature and cefixime-tellurite treatment for the isolation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from minced beef.

To improve enrichment and isolation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, this study evaluated increased incubation temperature and cefixime-tellurite (CT) on five strains of each of the following bacteria, E. coli, Hafnia alvei, Enterobacter spp., Citrobacter freundii and E. coli O157:H7, and two strains of E. coli O157:nH7. These were grown in pure culture in LST broth with varying cefixime-tellurite concentrations. A range of incubation temperatures from 37 to 46 degrees C was investigated for the inhibition of cohabitant microorganisms. Minced beef, spiked with E. coli O157:H7 and cohabitant microorganisms was investigated. Increased incubation temperature (42 degrees C) and treatment with half of the prescribed amount of cefixime-tellurite by BAM for SMAC agar in enrichment step were the most effective in selectively growing E. coli O157:H7. The results show that E. coli O157:H7 is more resistant to these two conditions than the other cohabitant bacteria.