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This study assessed the potential short-term effects of COVID-19 stay-at-home restrictions on ratings of ASD and comorbid symptoms severity and adaptive functioning of 69 youth, ages 8-16 years with ASD without intellectual disability. Parent/caregiver ratings were being collected in fall and spring over approximately two years when the restrictions were imposed four months prior to the final data collection point. Results indicated no significant changes in parent/caregiver ratings of ASD symptom severity, comorbid symptoms severity, social skills, or adaptive behaviors following the stay-at-home restrictions and little variability across the four data collection points. Although findings suggested minimal short-term effects on these symptoms and adaptive skills, ongoing monitoring is needed to assess longer-term impacts.

This study examined the psychometric characteristics of the Cambridge-Mindreading Face-Voice Battery for Children (CAM-C) for a sample of 333 children, ages 6-12 years with ASD (with no intellectual disability). Internal consistency was very good for the Total score (0.81 for both Faces and Voices) and respectable for the Complex emotions score (0.72 for Faces and 0.74 for Voices); however, internal consistency was lower for Simple emotions (0.65 for Faces and 0.61 for Voices). Test-retest reliability at 18 and 36 weeks was very good for the faces and voices total (0.76-0.81) and good for simple and complex faces and voices (0.53-0.75). Significant correlations were found between CAM-C Faces and scores on another measure of face-emotion recognition (Diagnostic Analysis of Nonverbal Accuracy-Second Edition), and between Faces and Voices scores and child age, IQ (except perceptual IQ and Simple Voice emotions), and language ability. Parent-reported ASD symptom severity and the Emotion Recognition scale on the SRS-2 were not related to CAM-C scores. Suggestions for future studies and further development of the CAM-C are provided. LAY SUMMARY: Facial and vocal emotion recognition are important for social interaction and have been identified as a challenge for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Emotion recognition is an area frequently targeted by interventions. This study evaluated a measure of emotion recognition (the CAM-C) for its consistency and validity in a large sample of children with autism. The study found the CAM-C showed many strengths needed to accurately measure the change in emotion recognition during intervention.

This study is a continuation of a research program aimed at identifying potent drugs against bacterial infections, in which a series of organic compounds: dicarboxylic acid imides and thioimides, isoquinoline derivatives and open chain compounds, were examined for antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus auneus and Escheiichia coli. In effect of this investigation, the most active compounds (35-40, 47) were selected for in vitiv tests against fourteen clinically important pathogenic isolates, the methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aueus (MRSA) and several reference Gram-negative bacteria: Prteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Stenonophoinonas inaltophilia, and Acinetobacter baumannii. The obtained data revealed that seven compounds (three dithioimides, 35, 39, 47, and four thioimides, 36-38, 40) exhibit effective antibacterial activity against the tested Staphylococcus auirus MSSA and MRSA strains. Among them, dicarboxylic acid thioimides 37 and 38 were proven to be the most active.

A new metabolite, cyclic dipeptide, cis-(3S,8aS)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)hexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione, named JS-3 was isolated from Streptomyces sp. 8812 fermentation broth. Its chemical structure was established by means of spectroscopic analysis. A wide-range-screening study, which included inhibition assay of DD-carboxypeptidase/transpeptidase activity, determination of antibacterial, antifungal, and antiproliferative activities as well as free-radical scavenging was performed. To authors knowledge, this is the first isolation of such compound from natural sources and the first one from bacteria, Streptomyces.

The chemistry and biology of metallocene-nucleobase conjugates has been recognized as an increasingly important area of bioorganometallic chemistry. In this study, we have developed a two-step synthetic route to prepare mono-, di-, and tri-nuclear metallocene-uracil derivatives. Our synthetic procedure uses the Sonogashira cross-coupling and the PEMB-mediated reduction reactions as key steps. Successful application of PEMB as a mild and selective reducing agent allowed us to obtain with high yields a series of metallocenethymines bearing saturated linker groups. The compounds have been characterized by spectroscopic methods and the molecular structures of [3-(N1-(5iodouracilyl)propionyl]ferrocene (18) and [3-(N1-(5-iodouracilyl)propionyl]ruthenocene (19) were determined by X-ray diffraction. The anticancer activity of the metallocene-nucleobase products has been tested against estrogen receptor negative MDA-MB-231 mammary carcinoma, human HT-29 colon carcinoma and non-tumor mouse L929 fibroblast cells. This study has emphasized the cytotoxic activity of [3-(N1-(5-ferrocenylethynyl)propionyl]ferrocene (7) and [3-(N1-(5-methyluracilyl)propyl]-1′-diferocenylmethane (12). Notably, compound 12 was more cytotoxic against HT-29 cells than cisplatin. Moreover the undesired cytotoxicity of 12 against healthy L929 fibroblast cells was at the same level as cisplatin. Our results confirm the importance of dinuclear organometallic systems as anticancer agents.

Four new ferrocenyl-flavone complexes were obtained via palladium-catalyzed Heck cross-coupling reactions; (E)-6-ferrocenylvinyl-chromen-4-one (4), (E)-6-ferrocenylvinyl-2-methyl-chromen-4-one (5), (E)-6-ferrocenylvinyl-2-phenyl-chromen-4-one (6) and (E)-6-ferrocenylvinyl-chromen-4-one-3-propionic acid (7). All compounds were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR spectroscopy, high resolution-MS, elemental analysis and cyclic voltammetry. The molecular structure of derivatives 4 and 6 was also confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The biological activity of the complexes was rationalized on the basis of their anticancer and antibacterial properties. The anticancer activity of ferrocenyl-flavones 4–7 against established human cell lines derived from hematological and solid tumors has been evaluated in vitro. The following cell lines were investigated: MCF-7 (estrogen receptor-responsive breast adenocarcinoma), MDA-MB-231 (estrogen receptor-negative breast adenocarcinoma), HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma) and CCRF-CEM (T lymphoblast-like polymorph cells). All investigated ferrocenyl-flavones show cytotoxicity against CCRF-CEM cell line. The antibacterial activity of the four ferrocenyl-flavones against Gram-positive methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis bacterial strains was determined. Our experiments show antibacterial activity for the carboxylic acid derivative 7 against all tested Gram-positive bacterial strains while no activity was detected for the ferrocene-free 6-bromo-chromen-4-one-3-propionic acid.

Bacterial resistance to commonly used antibiotics is constantly increasing. Bacteria particularly dangerous for human life are methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and fluoroquinolone-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Hence, there is an incessant need for developing compounds with new modes of action and seeking alternate drug targets. In this review, the authors discuss the current situation of antibacterial medicines and present data on new antibiotic targets. Moreover, alternatives to antibiotics, such as bacteriophages, antimicrobial peptides and monoclonal antibodies, are presented. The authors also draw attention to the valuable features of natural sources in developing antibacterial compounds. The need to prevent and control infections as well as the reasonable use of currently available antibiotics is also emphasized.

A new family of metallocene–uracil conjugates, including [3-(N1-uracilyl)-1-(ferrocenyl)]propene (2c), [3-(N1-thyminyl)-1-(ferrocenyl)]propene (3c), [3-(N1-(5-fluorouracilyl))-1-(ferrocenyl)]propene (4c), and [3-(N1-uracilyl)-1-(ruthenocenyl)]propene (5c), was obtained in three steps from (3-chloropropionyl)ferrocene and (3-chloropropionyl)ruthenocene, respectively. The complexes 2c–5c and their intermediates 2a–5a and 2b–5b were characterized by NMR and infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of the intermediates 2b and 4a were determined by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. In the solid state, two molecules of 2b or 4a form a dimeric structure, which is held together by strong hydrogen bonds. Compounds 2c–5c were also studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The ferrocenyl–uracil derivatives 2c–4c revealed reversible uncomplicated oxidations, whereas the cyclic voltammogram of the ruthenocenyl derivative 5c showed an irreversible oxidation. Compounds ...

Secondary metabolites obtained from Actinomycetales provide a potential source of many new antibacterial, antitumour, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic compounds and others. The majority of discovered substances are widely used as medicines for combating multidrug-resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, as well as in veterinary practice, agriculture and industry. Members of the Streptomyces genus are outstanding producers of already known secondary metabolites. In our study we isolated a new metabolite from Streptomyces badius fermentation broth. This compound, 2-acetamido-5-hydroxybenzoic acid (1) was already described in literature, however, not yet discovered as Streptomyces badius product. The compound was firstly isolated from fermentation broth and purified by chromatography methods (ion exchange resin DowexWX40, Solid Phase Extraction C18 Polar Plus; HPLC, dC18). Then, the chemical structure of metabolite was determined by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and 2D homo- and heteronuclear (1H-13C HSQC, 1H-13C HMBC) NMR. The molecular formula of (1), C9H9NO4 was identified by high resolution ESI-MS. The chemical structure was analyzed by the UV and IR methods, as well. Biological activities of 2-acetamido-5-hydroxybenzoic acid were evaluated. The compound shows moderate DD-peptidase 64-575 inhibitory activity as well as antioxidative properties (ABTS radical scavenging). Such chemical moiety may serve as model compound for further modern drug discovery and be a source of active substance in anti-ageing cosmetics.

The nutritional requirements and environmental conditions for a submerged culture of Streptomyces sp. 8812 were determined. Batch and fed-batch Streptomyces sp. 8812 fermentations were conducted to obtain high activity of secondary metabolites. In the study several factors were examined for their influence on the biosynthesis of the active metabolites-7-hydroxy-6-oxo-2,3,4,6-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxyl acid (C10H9NO4) and N-acetyl-3,4-dihydroxy-l-phenylalanine (C11H13NO5): changes in medium composition, pH of production medium, various growth phases of seed culture, amino acid supplementation and addition of anion exchange resin to the submerged culture. Biological activities of secondary metabolites were examined with the use of dd-carboxypeptidase 64–575 and horseradish peroxidase. Streptomyces sp. 8812 mycelium was evaluated under fluorescent microscopy and respiratory activity of the strain was analyzed. Moreover, the enzymatic profiles of the strain with the use of Api®ZYM test were analyzed and genetic analysis made. Phylogenetic analysis of Streptomyces sp. 8812 revealed that its closest relative is Streptomyces capoamus JCM 4734 (98%), whereas sequence analysis for 16S rRNA gene using NCBI BLAST algorithm showed 100% homology between these two strains. Biosynthetic processes, mycelium growth and enzyme inhibitory activities of these two strains were also compared.

We report on the synthesis of ferrocenyl-ampicillin and ferrocenyl-6-aminopenicillinic acid bioconjugates. Title compounds were characterized by (1)H NMR, IR, MS and elemental analysis. These novel ferrocenyl-antibiotic conjugates were also investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Ferrocenyl-ampicillin complexes revealed reversible uncomplicated oxidation whereas ferrocenyl-6-aminopenicillinic acid derivatives were found to exhibit adsorption waves in cathodic scans. Antibacterial activities of our ferrocenyl-antibiotic conjugates against Gram-positive methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis bacterial strains were determined. Our experiments show significant antibacterial activity of ferrocenyl-6-aminopenicillinic acid bioconjugates against the bacterial strains tested. Contrary to that ferrocenyl-ampicillin derivatives were inactive. The inhibitory effects on the dd-carboxypeptidase 64-575 II exerted by our ferrocenyl-6-aminopenicillinic acid bioconjugates were established in the low nanomolar range. The tumor cell growth inhibition of representative ferrocenyl-ampicillin and ferrocenyl-6-aminopenicillinic acid bioconjugates against MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma and HT-29 colon carcinoma cell lines were studied in vitro. Similar to the antibacterial activity tests the assays in tumor cells revealed significant antiproliferative effects exerted by ferrocenyl-6-aminopenicillinic acid bioconjugates.

The incidence of candidiasis among immunocompromised patients and emergence of antimycotics resistant strains has increased significantly. The aims of this study were: to examine the in vitro activity of antimycotics and biocides against Candida clinical isolates; to detect cross-resistance of fungi to these preparations and to estimate whether disinfectants applied in hospital areas are active against clinical Candida isolates. In vitro susceptibility of 102 Candida isolates to eight antimycotics was examined by Etest and ATB Fungus. Sensitivity of these strains to four disinfectants and an antiseptic agent was tested according to EN 1275:2005. Amphotericin B, caspofungin and 5-fluorocytosine were the most effective antimycotics against all Candida isolates. Resistance to itraconazole and fluconazole was observed among C. krusei and C. glabrata. The MICs (Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations) for ketoconazole, voriconazole and posaconazole against Candida albicans ranged: 0.003 - >32 μg/ml and one strain was resistant to three agents tested. All analysed Candida strains were sensitive to biocides containing either chlorine, aldehyde, alcohol mixtures, glucoprotamin or chlorhexidine gluconate with isopropanol. Sensitivity to these agents was observed at concentrations lower than those concentrations recommended by manufacturers to achieve proper biocidal activity to those preparations. Our data suggest that these disinfectants can be effectively applied in clinical wards to prevent nosocomial Candida infections.

Novel polyfunctional small amphiphilic peptide dendrimers characterized by incorporation of a new core compounds – tris-amino acids or tetrakis-amino alcohols that originated from a series of basic amino acids – were efficiently synthesized. These new core elements yielded molecules with multiple branching and (+5)/(+6) charge at the 1-st dendrimer generation. Dendrimers exhibited significant antimicrobial potency against Gram(+) and Gram(-) strains involving also multiresistant reference strains (S. aureus ATCC 43300 and E. coli ATCC BAA-198). In addition, high activity against fungi from the Candida genus was detected. More charged and more hydrophobic peptide dendrimers expressed hemolytic properties.

A novel isoquinoline alkaloid of molecular formula C10H9NO4, labeled JS-1, was isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces sp. 8812. It was purified by acetone protein precipitation from the culture supernatant, followed by anion exchange and C18 RP HPLC columns. JS-1 is an inhibitor of exocellular DD-carboxypeptidases/transpeptidases (DD-peptidases) 64-575 II from Saccharopolyspora erythraea 64-575 II, and R39 from Actinomadura R39. JS-1 exhibits activity against Gram-negative bacteria, such as Bordetella bronchiseptica, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Proteus vulgaris, P. mirabilis, Burkholderia cepacia and Acinetobacter baumanii, with MIC values 10-160 microg ml(-1), and against Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, with MIC values 40-206 microg ml(-1).

We have determined a 1.18 A resolution X-ray crystal structure of a novel ruthenocenyle-6-aminopenicillinic acid in complex with CTX-M β-lactamase, showing unprecedented details of interactions between ruthenocene and protein. As the first product complex with an intact catalytic serine, the structure also offers insights into β-lactamase catalysis and inhibitor design.

N-acetyl-3,4-dihydroxy- L -phenylalanine, a second identified bioactive metabolite produced by Streptomyces sp. 8812

A series of new cationic lipopeptides containing branched, amphiphilic polar head derived from (Lys)Lys(Lys) dendron and C(8) or C(12) chain at C-end were designed, synthesized and characterized. Antimicrobial in vitro activity expressed as minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts from the Candida genus. A significant enhancement of antimicrobial potency along with increased selectivity against Candida reference strains was detected for derivatives with the C(12) residue. Several compounds were characterized by a low hemotoxicity. The antifungal activity of branched lipopeptides is multimodal and concentration dependent. Several compounds, studied in detail, induced potassium leakage from fungal cells, caused morphological alterations of fungal cells and inhibited activity of candidal β(1,3)-glucan synthase.

The [2+2]cycloaddition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate to vinyl and (Z)-propenyl ethers derived from the 2-O-sulfonylated (R)- and (S)-1-(furyl-2′)-1,2-ethanediols furnished the 4-alkoxy-azetidin-2-ones with a good to moderate stereoselectivity. The intramolecular alkylation of the β-lactam nitrogen atom led to the corresponding 3-(furyl-2′)- and 6-methyl-3-(furyl-2′)-clavams. The transformation of the furyl residue into an alkoxycarbonyl group led to clavams related to the natural compounds. The synthesized clavams exhibited moderate inhibitory activities against DD-peptidase 64-575 and β-lactamase (penase) as well as antifungal activities.

The [2+2]cycloaddition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate to vinyl and (Z)-propenyl ethers derived from the 2-O-sulfonylated (R)- and (S)-1-(furyl-2')-1,2-ethanediols furnished the 4-alkoxy-azetidin-2-ones with a good to moderate stereoselectivity. The intramolecular alkylation of the beta-lactam nitrogen atom led to the corresponding 3-(furyl-2')- and 6-methyl-3-(furyl-2')-clavams. The transformation of the furyl residue into an alkoxycarbonyl group led to clavams related to the natural compounds. The synthesized clavams exhibited moderate inhibitory activities against DD-peptidase 64-575 and beta-lactamase (penase) as well as antifungal activities.