Safaa S. Hassan

Synthesis, characterization, speciation and biological studies on metal chelates of 1-benzoyl(1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thiourea

Abstract Proton-ligand association constants of 1-benzoyl(1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thiourea (BTTU) and its complex formation constants with some bivalent metal ions Ni(II), Co(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), and Cu(II), have been determined potentiometrically in 50% EtOH–H2O and 0.1 M NaNO3. The complexes formed in solution have a stoichiometry of 1:1 and 1:2 [M:L], where M represents the metal ion and L the BTTU ligand. The corresponding thermodynamic parameters are derived and discussed. The complexes are stabilized by enthalpy changes and the results suggest that complexation is an enthalpy-driven process. The effects of metal ion, ionic radius, electronegativity, and nature of ligand on the formation constants are discussed. The formation constants of the complexes with 3d transition metals follow the order Mn2+ < Co2+ < Ni2+ < Cu2+ > Zn2+. The metal complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, conductance, IR, 1H NMR, and magnetic measurements. The low magnetic moment of 0.11 BM for the Cu(II) complex is suggestive of dimerization through Cu–Cu interaction. The concentration distribution diagrams of the complexes were evaluated. The ligands and their metal complexes have been screened in vitro against some bacteria and fungi.

A novel primer set for improved direct gene sequencing of human bocavirus genotype-1 from clinical samples.

Human bocavirus genotype (HBoV-1) is a parvovirus associated with respiratory tract infections in children with different degrees of severity. The current study intended to improve the direct gene sequencing of the HBoV-1 using a newly developed primer set. Screening the presence of human bocavirus infection among in-patients children suffering from lower respiratory tract infections was another aim of the current study. Nasopharyngeal swab samples from in-patients children suffering from lower respiratory tract infections were examined. The real-time polymerase chain reaction was used for the initial screening as a highly sensitive method to detect the HBoV. Genotyping of real-time positive samples was attempted by direct sequencing of PCR amplicons using NP, VP1/2 and the newly developed VP/NC primers. HBoV-1 was present in 56.8% of the examined children. The newly developed primer set successfully amplified all real-time PCR positive samples, however, the other primer pairs did not reliably detect real-time PCR positive samples. The gene sequences of the detected HBoV-1 showed conserved sequences to each other with a low rate of discrepancies. The high rate of infection and the similarity between the detected strains strongly suggest nosocomial infections.

Comparing a combination of penicillin G and gentamicin to a combination of clindamycin and amikacin as prophylactic antibiotic regimens in prevention of clean contaminated wound infections in cancer surgery

BACKGROUND AND AIM Appropriate antibiotic selection and timing of administration for prophylaxis are crucial to reduce the likelihood of surgical site infection (SSI) after a clean contaminated cancer surgery. Our aim is to compare the use of two prophylactic antibiotic (PA) regimens as regards efficacy, timing, and cost. PATIENTS AND METHODS Two hundred patients with gastric, bladder, or colorectal cancer were randomized to receive preoperative PA, group A received penicillin G sodium and gentamicin and group B received clindamycin and amikacin intravenously. The demographic data of patients were collected, and they were observed for wound infections. RESULTS Infected wounds occurred in 19 patients with a rate of 9.5%. Highest incidence of SSI was among bladder cancer patients (14.2%); p=0.044. The rate of SSI was 11% in group A, and 8% in group B, p=0.469. The cost of PA administered in group A was significantly less than that of group B (21.96±3.22LE versus 117.05±12.74LE, respectively; p<0.001). SSI tended to be higher among those who had longer time for antibiotic and incision (≥30min) than those who had shorter time interval (<30min), (13% vs. 6.5%, respectively). CONCLUSION Both penicillin+gentamicin and clindamycin+amikacin are safe and effective for the prevention of SSI in clean contaminated operative procedures. In a resource limited hospital, a regimen including penicillin+gentamicin is a cost-effective alternative for the more expensive and broader coverage of clindamycin+amikacin. Timing of PA is effective in preventing SSIs when administered 30min before the start of surgery.

Bacteremia due to ESKAPE pathogens: An emerging problem in cancer patients

BACKGROUND AND AIM In recent years, a few of the antibiotic-resistant bacteria, known as ESKAPE pathogens, have been found responsible for serious infections. We investigated the risk factors, and impact of ESKAPE pathogens on course of blood stream infections (BSIs) in cancer patients in comparison to coagulase negative Staphylococci (CoNS). PATIENTS AND METHODS The data of patients with ESKAPE positive blood cultures at National Cancer Institute, Cairo University were analyzed. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates were done using Microscan Walk Away 96. RESULTS In a 6month period, ESKAPE pathogens were isolated from non-duplicate blood cultures in 81 episodes of 72 cases of pediatric cancer patients, while CoNS were isolated from 135 blood cultures of 116 patients. The ESKAPE pathogens isolated were Enterobacter spp., methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococci in 12%, 23%, 37%, 10%, 9%, and 9% of episodes, respectively. Health-care acquired infections constituted 75% of ESKAPE infections. Duration of episodes and overall mortality were significantly higher in ESKAPE BSIs when compared to CoNS (14.5±7.6 versus 09.9±6.9), and (26% versus 4%); respectively, p value <0.001. CONCLUSIONS ESKAPE pathogens were significantly associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality indicating the need for improving the means of prevention of these types of infections within health care premises. Microbiology laboratories have a role in defining more dangerous infections and rapid diagnostics are required in the era of resistance.

Increasing Antimicrobial Resistance Monitored in Surveillance Analysis of Blood Stream Infections in Febrile Neutropenic Pediatric Oncology Patients.

BACKGROUND Continuous surveillance of pattern of blood stream infection is necessary in febrile neutropenia (FN)especially with the recent escalating trend in the management of pediatric cancer patients towards intensified regimens and with the increase in infections caused by resistant organisms limiting the choice of antibiotics. AIM To monitor change in pattern of blood stream infections (BSI) in FN pediatric cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Surveillance of FN episodes with positive BSI was prospectively monitored and compared to a previous surveillance in the same pediatric oncology unit. RESULTS A total of 232 BSI positive episodes were documented in 192 patients during a 6 months period. The results of recent surveillance analysis showed an increase in intensified regimens of chemotherapy, antimicrobial resistance, fungal infections, and prolonged duration of episodes when compared to previous surveillance, with p value sof <0.001, 0.005, 0.021, and <0.001, respectively. There was an apparent decrease in the crude mortality but this was not statistically significant, to 6% in 2011 from 10 % in 2006. CONCLUSIONS The pattern of BSI at our institution is still inclining towards gram positive organisms but is showing a shift towards more antibiotic resistance and fungal infections.

Complex formation equilibria of binary and ternary complexes involving 3,3-bis(1-methylimidazol-2yl)propionic acid and bio-relevant ligands as 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid with reference to plant hormone.

The formation equilibria for the binary complexes of Cu(II) with 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid (ACC) and 3,3-bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)propionic acid (BIMP) were investigated. ACC and BIMP form the complexes 110, 120 and 11-1. The ternary complexes of Cu(II) with BIMP and biorelevant ligands as some selected amino acids, peptides and DNA constituents are formed in a stepwise mechanism. The stability constants of the complexes formed were determined and their distribution diagrams were evaluated. The kinetics of hydrolysis of glycine methyl ester in presence of [Cu(BIMP)](+) was investigated by pH-stat technique and the mechanism was discussed.

Thermodynamic investigation of the binary and ternary complexes involving 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid with reference to plant hormone

AbstractComplex formation equilibria of 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid (ACC) and 3,3-bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl) propionic acid (BIMP) with metal ions Cu2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Zn2+, Mn2+ and Fe2+ were investigated. ACC forms 1:1 and 1:2 complexes in addition to the hydrolysed form of the 1:1 complex, except in the case of Mn2+ and Fe2+, where the hydrolysed complex is not formed. BIMP forms 1:1 and 1:2 complexes in addition to the hydrolsed form of the 1:1 complex in the case of Mn2+ and Cu2+, however the hydrolysed complex is not detected for Ni2+, Co2+, Zn2+ and Fe2+. The concentration distribution diagrams of the complexes were determined. The Fe2+-complex with BIMP is exothermic and the thermodynamic parameters were calculated. The effect of organic solvent on the acid dissociation constants of 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid (ACC) and 3,3-bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl) propionic acid (BIMP) and the formation constants of Fe2+ complexes were investigated. Fe2+ forms a mixed-ligand complex with ACC and BIMP with stoichiometric coefficients 1:1:1. The formation constant was determined. The ternary complex is enhanced by back donation from the negatively charged 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylate to the π-system of BIMP. From the concentration distribution diagram, the ternary complex prevails in the physiological pH range.

Speciation Studies of Diorganotin(IV) Complexes with 3,3-Bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)propionate—Displacement Reaction by DNA Constituents

The interaction of 3,3-bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)propionate (BIMP) with dimethyltin(IV) dichloride (DMT), dibutyltin(IV) dichloride (DBT), and diphenyltin(IV) dichloride (DPT) is investigated at 25°C and 0.1 M ionic strength in water for dimethyltin(IV), and in a 50% dioxane-water mixture for dibutyltin(IV) and diphenyltin(IV). The stepwise formation constants of the 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complexes formed in solution are calculated from potentiometric measurements using the nonlinear least-square program MINIQUAD-75. The concentration distribution of the various complex species is evaluated as a function of pH. Displacement reactions of the coordinated 3,3-bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)propionate by inosine and inosine-5′-monophosphate are investigated from calculations based upon equilibrium properties.