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The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of administration of scopolamine (a parasympatholytic drug) immediately after delivery, on uterine involution in dairy cows. The cows were divided into two groups: group T (treated with scopolamine butylbromide 40 mg/100 kg P.V., within 24 h of delivery) and group C (treated with 2 ml/q of saline solution). The cows were monitored at T0, within 24 h of delivery, T7, T14, T28 and T40 respectively 7th, 14th, 28th and 40th day postpartum, by measuring the levels of hydroxyproline (HYP), an important marker of uterine involution; by ultrasound examination for the measurement of the diameter of uterine horns and of blood flow in the middle uterine artery; and by evaluation of reproductive indices. HYP showed higher concentrations in the T group than in the C group at all times, but the difference was significant at T7 and T40. Uterine diameters were reduced from T7 to T40, with lower values in the T group, as compared to the C group; the pulsatility index (PI) of the middle uterine artery increased in the T group compared to the C group, with a statistically significant difference at T7. There was a better conception-delivery interval and higher pregnancy rate in the T group compared to the C group. It is likely that scopolamine blocked the uterine contractions in postpartum, for the duration of its half-life. After cessation of its pharmacological effect, the uterus may have started to contract more effectively. These results suggested that scopolamine could be useful as a pharmacological approach to postpartum management.

The Zeise’s salt, K[PtCl3(h2-C2H4)], is a paradigmatic example of the olefin to metal bond and still an important starting material for the synthesis of platinum-based organometallic compounds. The great reactivity of Zeise’s anion, essentially related to the lability of the chlorido ligand trans to the olefin, which can be easily substituted by any ligand having a reasonable affinity for platinum. To get further insights in the reaction of nucleophilic substitution upon changing the ligand trans to the h2-olefin, we tested the reactivity of three monoanionic platinum(II) substrates (Zeise’s anion itself, [PtCl3(h2-C2H4)]-, 1, trans-[PtCl2(OH)(h2-C2H4)], 2, and trans-[PtCl2(h1-CH2NO2)(h2-C2H4)]-, 3), towards aromatic imines with different steric requirements (pyridine, 4-methylpyridine, and 2,6-dimethylpyridine). We also performed a X-ray crystal structure characterization of the tetraphenylphosphonium salts of 2 and 3. Our data have highlighted the nature of the Pt-Cl Pt-OH, and Pt-C s bonds. Cl– is the only one of the three trans-to-olefin ligands which can have a h-acceptor capacity towards the metal. The s-donor capacity of the ligands can be ranked in the order: CH2NO2 C- >> Cl– > OH–. The carbanion has an unexpectedly high weakening effect on the bond between platinum and the trans-olefin. As a consequence the olefin is displaced in preference not only by another olefin but also by h-donors such as pyridines. In the light of the present results, the series ranking the trans-effect, which were set up in the 1980’s, needs to be reconsidered in view of the importance for synthetic chemistry of trans-directing ligands.

Chronic venous disorders (CVDs) subtend a spectrum of vascular abnormalities, including microcirculation and skin damages (as ulcers) in the lower limb. Mesoglycan has been established as an effective agent to improve microcirculation associated with CVDs. The aim of this study was to determine the beneficial function of mesoglycan on cutaneous blood flow measured by laser Doppler fluometry (LDF) before and after iontophoresis analysis using methacholine chloride (MCh) injection in a group of female patients in different stages of CVDs, according to the CEAP classification.Female patients with chronic venous disorders (CVD) were referred from primary care practices and vascular clinics. The study selected 75 women aged 45.5 ± 9.6 years (range, 30 to 60 years). And grading in CEAP classification. Eligible patients were allocated consecutively, according to entrance order, in an active treatment group and in a control group for 90 days. The active group (N. = 37) received mesoglycan 50 mg twice daily in adjunct to standard care. The primary outcome variable for the study was the measurement of skin microcirculation blood flow by LDF. Data obtained was transferred to a database (Excel) and analysed using statistical software (SPSS version 12, SPSS, USA).After 90 days of treatment, mesoglycan obtained a significative increase in peak flow at LDF of about 13% respect of baseline and standard care in the entire group of CVD treated women. In upper CEAP classes there was a trend for a more intense vasodilating activity of mesoglycan.The study shows improving in microvascular function induced by a 3-month mesoglycan treatment in patients classified by CEAP stages C1 and C4.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of clinical and subclinical atherosclerosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and its associated features. METHODS: Fifty unselected SSc patients and 41 controls, matched for sex and age, were investigated for previous cardiovascular events, cardiovascular risk factors, and ultrasonographic features of subclinical atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries, that is intima-media thickness (IMT) > 0.9 mm or plaques. SSc patients were also investigated for disease features and previous treatment. Finally, blood samples were randomly selected from 27 patients and 18 controls to evaluate concentrations of amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), IL-13, E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), D-dimer, and prothrombin fragments (F1+2). RESULTS: Previous cardiovascular events were recorded in three SSc patients and no controls (p > 0.05). Mean IMT (0.613 ± 0.240 vs. 0.654 ± 0.173 mm) did not differ between patients and controls (p > 0.05), but subclinical atherosclerosis was detected in 14/50 SSc patients and 4/41 controls (p = 0.036). At multiple logistic regression analysis, mean IMT was correlated with older age [p = 0.006; odds ratio (OR) 1.276, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.043-1.516] and a higher cumulative corticosteroid intake (p = 0.017; OR 1.155, 95% CI 1.027-1.300). No correlation was found with any soluble marker of disease activity and of coagulation/fibrinolysis system activation. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms an increased prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in SSc patients and demonstrates a hitherto unknown association with corticosteroid cumulative dosage.

Cardiopulmonary bypass induces a systemic inflammatory response (SIR), characterized by the activation of cellular and humoral elements, with concomitant release of neutrophil elastase and matrix-metallo proteinases. In the present study, the protease release during extracorporeal circulation in 28 patients undergoing cardiac surgical operations was monitored using casein zymography. A peak in protease activity was found in all patients at the end of cardiopulmonary bypass. Plasma samples of patients were allowed to interact with different traps obtained by immobilizing different protease inhibitors on specific carriers. α1-Antitpypsin, Bovine Pancreatic Trypsin Inhibitor, Elastatinal or Leupeptin were used as inhibitors and were covalently immobilized by diazotization or by condensation. A reduction in the proteolytic activity of the plasma samples was observed after interaction with the different traps. The most efficient traps, i.e. the ones displaying greatest power to inhibit protease activity, were those obtained by immobilizing Bovine Pancreatic Trypsin Inhibitor and Leupeptin. The biocompatibility of traps was also tested. Results show that protease activity in blood can be decreased by our protease traps.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a pathology of unknown cause, characterized by tissue and cellular damage, secondary to production of autoantibodies and to deposition of immunocomplexes. Lupus nephritis is one of the most common complications of SLE. Our purpose is to propose a therapeutic protocol for patients suffering from Lupus nephritis. This consists of Plasmapheresis associated with pharmacological therapy so that dosage of immunosuppressors can be reduced and consequently also the side effects of the pharmacological therapy.

The authors report their experience about cleft lip and palate.

The Authors describe one case of Goldenhar's syndrome. They concentrate on the etiopathogenetic hypothesis and they believe it helps the gradual healing in time.

The Authors report a case of difficult diagnosis, clinically characterised by long-term persistent fever. Clinical and laboratory tests led to a first conclusion of a tubercular infection; later of a perisplenic hematoma and the persistence of high inflammatory indices directed to a different diagnosis.

A series of tin(II) salts of the types Et4N[SnX3] and Et4N[SnX2Y](X, Y = Cl, Br, or I) have been prepared, the latter for the first time. The salts are all sensitive to oxygen, their stability in this regard decreasing from SnCl3– to SnX2Y– to Snl3–. The i.r. and Raman spectra of the ions have been recorded both in the solid state and also where possible in nitromethane solution. There are signification differences between the data pertaining to the two states, and only in solution is it clear that discrete, pyramidal anions are present. The Mossbauer spectra of the salts yield isomer shifts in the range 3·47–3·95 mm./sec. relative to SnO2; the shifts for the SnX3– ions increase as the sums of the electronegativites of the attached halogen atoms decrease.

The pure anti and syn forms of the compounds (μ-RS) 2 Fe 2 (CO) 6 (R = CH 3 , C 2 H 5 ) isomerize to equilibrium mixtures having the K = [anti]/[syn] values of 3.2 and 3.6, respectively. If R = C 6 H 5 or C 6 F 5 no evidence for “pure” isomers has been found, but anomalies of the IR spectra point to differences in the ring orientations. The new derivative R = C 6 Cl 5 has been prepared by photochemical reaction. The two isomers of the R = alkyl derivatives react with different rates (k syn >k anti ) with phosphines to give the monosubstituted derivatives (μ-RS) 2 Fe 2 (CO) 5 PR′ 3 (R′ = n-Bu, Ph) which have also two distinct isomers. The K = [ anti ]/[ syn ] value changes in favour of the syn isomers in the substituted compounds.

The complex formation of thorium(IV) with mandelate, glycolate, lactate, α-OH-isobutyrate, β-OH-butyrate and γ-OH-butyrate, has been studied by means of potentiometric [H+] measurements. The stability constants have been determined in aqueous solution with 1 M (Na)ClO4 at 20°C. The data indicate that the β- and γ-hydroxy group, differently from the α-hydroxy group, are not involved in a chelate ring.

The ability of enantiomeric platinum complexes to block the action of selected restriction enzymes has been investigated. The complexes [PtCl2(DAC)], [PtCl2(DAB)] and [PtCl2(DAP)] (DAC = 1,2-diamminocyclohexane; DAB = 2,3-diamminobutane; DAP = 1,2-diamminopropane) exhibit a guanine-cytosine preference in accord with previous results on cis-[PtCl2(NH3)2] (cis-DDP). The extent of inhibition, however, is significantly different for the different isomers; the R,R form is more active than the others at short incubation time, as the time becomes longer, the differences among isomers level off. It also appears that cis-DDP is more active than [PtCl2(DAC)] in blocking the Cfo I enzyme, though it shows a preference for the G-X-G sequences.

Background Perioperative management of post-infarction left ventricular free wall rupture (LVFWR) is not clearly standardized and surgical repair is the only therapeutic option. Role of off-pump surgery and stabilization with perioperative intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP) were here analysed. Methods Seven patients underwent surgery for LVFWR between 1990 and 2002. Clinical picture included electromechanical dissociation (3 patients) and sudden hypotension (4 patients). Except in one patient who was reanimated through femoro-femoral cardiopulmonary bypass, off-pump repair through on-lay patching technique was always performed. IABP was employed in the immediate postoperative period in five cases. Results A satisfactory hemodynamic state was restored in all cases and there were no reoperations for bleeding or rerupture. Hospital survival was 100%. One patient underwent successful surgical myocardial revascularization two months after LVFWR. Two patients died at follow-up. The survivors present with good NYHA and CCS functional classes. Conclusions When the anatomy of the LVFWR is favourable, off-pump external patching repair proves a good choice. Postoperative IABP provides satisfactory hemodynamic support.

The cationic platinum complexes [Pt(η2-alkene)X(tmeda)](ClO4) (1: X = Cl, alkene = propene, 1-butene, 1-hexene; X = NO2, alkene = (E)-2-butene, (Z)-2-butene; tmeda = N,N,N‘,N‘-tetramethylethylenediamine) smoothly react with triethylamine to undergo loss of one allylic proton of the alkene ligand and formation of the η1-allyl species [Pt(η1-allyl)X(tmeda)] (2). In the case of 1-butene and 1-hexene, the η1-allyl species containing a nonterminal olefinic function (X(tmeda)PtCH2CHCHR, R = Me, Pr) undergoes release of the X ligand and η1 → η3 rearrangement of the allyl to form [Pt(η3-allyl)(tmeda)]+ (3). The reaction is stereoselective, and the R substituent is always found syn to the central hydrogen of the allyl group; however, in solution, a partial isomerization of the syn into the anti form slowly takes place. In the case of propene and (E)- and (Z)-2-butene the terminal olefinic function of 2, [X(tmeda)PtCHRCHCH2], can displace the η2-alkene from a second molecule of 1 to form the η1:η2-allyl-bridged di...

Linear measures of heart rate variability (HRV) during ECG stress test has been widely questioned due to the high signal non-stationary. Such limitations can be overcome by nonlinear measures of HRV based on typical properties of chaotic systems and deterministic fractal. Very few paper addressed such issue and aim of the paper is to describe fractal behavior of HRV during exercise. A fractal analysis by Higuchi's algorithm (FD) has been performed on 26 cardiac patients during resting, stress, early and late recovery phases of ECG stress test. Results showed a significant FD increasing values from resting to stress phase that was not recovered at all immediately after the exercise, and it was slightly recovered both during early and late recovery phase. The performance of fractal analysis of HRV during and after high intensity exercise suggests that it could be a useful index assessing relevant information about underlying physiological recovery. ?????? 2014 IEEE.

The evolution in basic medium ([RO-] = 1 M in methanol, R = H or Me) of five-coordinate platinum(II) compounds, [PtCl2(eta2-C2H4)(N-N)], 2a-c, (N-N = N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,2-ethanediamine, a; 2,2'-bipyridyl, b; 1,10-phenanthroline, c) leads to the formation of [PtCl(eta1-CH2CH2-OCH3)(N-N)], 5a-c. The analogous compound 5d (N-N = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, d) can also be prepared, but not via transformation of the five-coordinate species 2d in basic medium where it is quite stable. 5d can instead be prepared by reaction of d with a strongly basic methanol solution of Zeise's anion [PtCl3(eta2-C2H4)](-), 1. In such a medium the di-anionic trans-[PtCl2(OR)(eta1-CH2CH2-OCH3)](2-) species (1") reacts with to form exclusively 5d. Hydrolysis of with acids bearing weakly coordinating anions leads to [PtCl(eta2-C2H4)(N-N)]+, 3a-c, as stable cations; upon the same treatment 5d does not generate 3d, but it reacts with HCl to give 2d in almost quantitative yield. Cationic complexes 3b, 3c, here reported for the first time, were reacted with some nucleophiles and their behaviour compared with that of the already known 3a. In 3b, 3c the metal centre competes with the coordinated ethene for binding to nucleophiles; therefore the acetylacetonate anion can either add to the olefin (affording compounds 6b, 6c ) or to the metal ion replacing the ethene ligand (yielding compounds 7b, 7c). Under similar conditions, 3a gives exclusively 6a. Secondary amines readily add to ethene in 3b, 3c, affording the addition products 8b, 8c, which undergo a ready cyclization to an azaplatinacyclobutane ring (9b, 9c). The remarkable ease of the four-membered ring formation has been related to the high electrophilic character of the metal core in 3b, 3c.

Zeise's anion in strongly basic hydroxylated solvents undergoes unprecedented nucleophilic addition of OR- (R = H, Me, Et) to the eta2-ethene giving trans-[PtCl2(eta1-C2H4OR)(OR)]2- which readily reacts with bidentate nitrogen donors N-N to give Cl- and OR- substitution and formation of [PtCl(CH2CH2OR)(N-N)]. Protonolysis of this stable organometallic species offers a versatile route to cationic [PtCl(eta2-C2H4)(N-N)]+ complexes.

To get further insight in the reaction of nucleophilic substitution upon changing the ligand trans to a η(2)-olefin, the reactivity of some monoanionic platinum(II) complexes (trans-[PtCl(2)X(η(2)-C(2)H(4))](-), X = Cl(-), 1, OH(-), 2, and CH(2)NO(2)(-), 3) towards pyridines with different steric hindrance (py, 4-Mepy, and 2,6-Me(2)py) has been tested. All crystallographic (2 and 3 reported for the first time) and spectroscopic data are in accord with a platinum-olefin interaction decreasing in the order 2 > 1 > 3, paralleling the decreasing electronegativity of the donor atom (O > Cl > C). Not only the platinum-olefin bond but also the bond between platinum and the ligand trans to the olefin appear to be strongest in 2 (Pt-O distance at the lower limit for this type of bond). In the reaction with py, the ligand trans to the olefin is displaced in 1 and 2. Moreover the reaction is in equilibrium in the case of sterically hindered 2,6-Me(2)py, the equilibrium being shifted moderately or prevalently toward the reagents in the case of 1 and 2, respectively. In the case of 3, the reaction with pyridines leads to substitution of the olefin instead of the carbanion. This is in accord with the observation that carbanions strongly weaken the trans Pt-olefin bond.