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Six enantiomerically pure, oxaliplatin-like, platinum compounds (two platinum(ii) and four platinum(iv)), all containing unsaturated cyclic diaminetrans-1,2-diamino-4-cyclohexene (DACHEX) as a substitute for thetrans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane used in oxaliplatin, were investigated. The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, ESI-MS, and1H-NMR spectroscopy. For the four Pt(iv) complexes the electrochemical redox behaviour, investigated by cyclic voltammetry, showed that all complexes possess reduction potentials suitable for activationin vivo. The antiproliferative activity was assessedin vitroon human cancer cell lines, also selected for resistance to platinum-based drugs or belonging to the MultiDrug-Resistant (MDR) phenotype. All complexes exhibited antiproliferative activity superior to that of cisplatin and almost equivalent to or better than that of oxaliplatin; moreover, most complexes were also capable of overcoming both the cisplatin- and the oxaliplatin-resistance. By comparing the effectiveness of the enantiomerically pure compounds with the racemic one, theR,Renantiomer emerged as the most effective in the case of Pt(ii) complexes whereas theS,Senantiomer was the most effective in the case of the Pt(iv) derivatives. From the results obtained also against 3D spheroid tumor models,cis,trans,cis-[Pt(OXA)(OBz)2(1S,2S-DACHEX)] (OBz = benzoate) emerged as the most promising candidate for further preclinical investigation.

Recently we have focused the research work on 11th group metal-NHCs complexes obtained from water soluble 1,3-symmetrically and 1,3-unsymmetrically substituted NHCs precursors based on imidazole and benzoimidazole scaffolds4-6...

Using Human Gene Expression Microarrays (Agilent) technologies, we investigated changes of the level of gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy subjects after 21 days of fresh table grape-rich diet and after an additional 28-day washout. Several hundreds of genes were differentially expressed after grape intake or after washout. The functional analysis of these genes detected significant changes in key processes such as inflammation and immunity, thrombosis, DNA and protein repair, autophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis. Moreover, fresh grape intake was found to influence the expression of many long non-coding RNA genes. The data can be valuable for researchers interested in nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics studies and are related to the research article “Gene expression signature induced by grape intake in healthy subjects reveals wide-spread beneficial effects on PBMCs” [1]. Keywords: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells, Microarray data, Pathway analyses, Biological processes, Grape intake, Diets, Human health, Health benefits

Lagoons are ecotone ecosystems, naturally exposed to immigration from their freshwater and marine input environments; strictly lagoonal species are rare, if ever occurring, and lagoon community are likely to be organised through loItery competition processes. These evidences suggest the study of lagoons as models address ecosystem fragility to alien species. Here, we present an analysis of lagoon guild fragility to alien species carried out using the e-Science facilities of LifeWatch, the European Research Infrastructure on biodiversity and ecosystem research. The analysis has been performed on two EUNIS habitat (X02 and X03) using data existing on 18 Italian lagoons. The analysis has been carried out taking into account that rarity, redundancy and singularity are key properties of different guilds in lagoon ecosystems at every geographical area, affecting B (Beta) and y (Gamma) diversity. At every area an high regional biodiversity is determined by a large number of rare species and a high dissimilarity among lagoons. Life cycle traits and the behaviour of larval stages, at the species level, as well as lagoon openness and vigour, at the ecosystem level, seem to have a major role to explain the difference in patterns of biodiversity between study areas at a biogeographical scale. The same species and ecosystem level properties, together with spatial patchiness, seem also to be key factors downscaling biodiversity analysis at the landscape level.

In this field novel1,3-symmetrically and 1,3-unsymmetrically substitutedNHCsprecursorshave been synthesized (Figure 1) and used in the synthesis of multicharged metal-NHC complexes...

Taxonomic identification of microbic components of biofilms from historical monuments

Nonparasitic hepatic cysts consist of a heterogeneous group of disorders, which differ in etiology, prevalence, and manifestations. Simple hepatic cysts are considered nonparasitic ones. These are a result of congenital anomalies of the biliary system, and these may be single or multiple. Generally, hepatic cysts are incidentally found during occasional laparotomy or laparoscopy, necropsy, and even during routine ultrasound or computerized tomography (CT) scan. Nowadays, with improving diagnostic techniques, hepatic cysts are becoming more common. Generally these lesions are asymptomatic. However, if they grow, they may become symptomatic. Symptoms depend on the size and location. When symptoms developed, these must be treated. Compressive complications due to local "liver mass" effect include: portal hypertension, edema due to caval compression, jaundice and arrhythmia and duodenal obstruction. Gastric extrinsic compression by liver cysts has been poorly described. Herein, we present a case of a female in whom percutaneous drainage of a large simple hepatic cysts not complicated was performed in order to reduce signs of gastric compression.

In order to ensure enteral feeding, placement of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is considered a standard care for patients with oropharyngeal malignancies. Benign pneumoperitoneum is a complication of PEG feeding tube placement and it is usually an incidental finding that arises, generally, immediately following the procedure. We report a case of a benign pneumoperitoneum, developed 48 hours after the procedure, which was treated conservatively.

A study on the filtering activity has been carried out on reared specimens of the demosponge Spongia officinalis var. adriatica coming from an off-shore farm displaced off the Apulian coast (Ionian Sea). The experience was carried out under laboratory conditions, by using natural seawater collected from the sponge environment. The study demonstrates a high efficiency of the sponge in removing bacteria. Bacterial concentration significantly decreases in presence of the sponge, with a marked drop after 2h from the start of the experience. The maximum clearance rate was 210 ml h(-1) g(-1) DW at 60 min. Retention efficiency reached the highest value of 61% at 120 min. The bacterial density removed by the S. officinalis filtering activity was 12.3 +/- 1.8 x 10(4) cells ml(-1) corresponding to a biomass of about 11.7 +/- 1.4 mu g Cl-1. The sponge fed preferentially large- and medium-size bacteria, whereas the small ones are fed after the removal of the largest size categories. The results obtained suggest that S. offcinalis is a suitable species for marine environmental bioremediation. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Aim. 99mTc(N)-DBODC(5) [DBODC = bis(N -ethoxyethyl)dithiocarbamato; and 5 = bis(dimethoxypropylphosphinoethyl)ethoxyethylamine], is a lipophilic cationic mixed-compound originally investigated as myocardial imaging agent. This compound has been recently identified as a suitable scaffold for the design of new 99mTc-based agents for the noninvasive imaging of P-gp and closely related transporter activities [1]. The possibility to control the hydrophobicity and pharmacological activity of this heterocomplex through the independent variation of the substituents on the two ligand backbones, without affecting the P2S2 coordinating sphere, makes 99mTc(N)-DBODC(5) an appropriate platform for the preparation of different molecular probes for SPECT of MDR. To evaluate the impact of the [99mTc(N)PNP]-moiety on the tumor cell accumulation and on the MDR recognition different 99mTc(N)-DBODC(5) like complexes were synthesized varying the substituents on the PNP ligand and their in-vitro biological behaviors on selected human cancer cell lines and in the corresponding sub-lines were investigated. Method. 99mTc(N)-DBODC(n) complexes were efficiently prepared as previously described [2], [n is PNP3 bis(dimethoxypropylphosphinoethyl)- methoxyethylamine, PNP7 (bis(dimethoxyethylphosphinoethyl)-ethoxyethylamine) and PNP10 (bis(dimethoxyethylphosphinoethyl)-methoxyethylamine). Basic parameters such as the kinetic of uptake, at 4 and 37 °C, of the 99mTc(N)-DBODC(n) complexes were evaluated in-vitro in selected cell lines such us MCF7 (human breast cancer) and 2008 (human ovarian cancer), and in the corresponding sublines by using 99mTc-sestamibi and 99mTc(N)-DBODC(5) as references. Results. In drug-sensitive cell lines a significant increase of the % of cell accumulation of 99mTc(N)-DBODC(7) and 99mTc(N)-DBODC(10) complexes was observed with respect to 99mTc-sestamibi and 99mTc(N)DBODC(5). At steady-state level, this amount was quantified to be two or three times the % of uptake value of the reference compounds. At 4 °C a significant reduction of cellular accumulation was observed for all 99mTc agents. After 60 min, the nonspecific uptake was assessed as around 2 % (p

Converging data that attribute a central role to sleep in memory consolidation have increased the interest to understand the characteristics of the hippocampal sleep and their relations with the processing of new information. Neural synchronization between different brain regions is thought to be implicated in long-term memory consolidation by facilitating neural communication and by promoting neural plasticity. However, the majority of studies have focused their interest on intra-hippocampal, rhinal-hippocampal or cortico-hippocampal synchronization, while inter-hemispheric synchronization has been so far neglected. To clarify the features of spontaneous human hippocampal activity and to investigate inter-hemispheric hippocampal synchronization across vigilance states, pre-sleep wakefulness and nighttime sleep were recorded from right and left homologous hippocampal loci using stereo-EEG techniques. Hence, quantitative and inter-hemispheric coherence analyses of hippocampal activity across sleep and waking states were carried out. The results showed the presence of delta activity in human hippocampal spontaneous EEG also during wakefulness. The activity in the delta range exhibited a peculiar bimodal distribution, namely a low frequency non-oscillatory activity (up to 2Hz) synchronized between hemispheres mainly during wake and REM sleep, and a faster oscillatory rhythm (2-4Hz). The latter was less synchronized between the hippocampi and seemed reminiscent of animal RSA (rhythmic slow activity). Notably, the low-delta activity showed high inter-hemispheric hippocampal coherence during REM sleep and, to a lesser extent, during wakefulness, paralleled by a (unexpected) decrease of coherence during NREM sleep. Therefore, low-delta hippocampal state-dependent synchronization starkly contrasts with neocortical behavior in the same frequency range. Further studies might shed light on the role of these low frequency rhythms in the encoding processes during wakefulness and in the consolidation processes during subsequent sleep.