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Three copper(II)-rhenium(IV) bimetallic complexes of formula [ReCl(4)(mu-ox)Cu(phen)(2)] (1), [ReCl(4)(mu-ox)Cu(phen)(2)].CH(3)CN (2), and [ReCl(4)(mu-ox)Cu(terpy) (H(2)O)][ReCl(4)(mu-ox)Cu(terpy)(CH(3)CN)] (3) (ox = oxalate anion, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, and terpy = 2,2':6,2"- terpyridine) have been synthesized and their crystal structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P(-1), with a = 9.776(2), b = 11.744(3), c = 14.183(3) A, alpha =102.09(2) degrees, beta = 109.42(2) degrees, gamma = 107.11(2) degrees, and Z = 2, whereas 2 and 3 crystallize in the monoclinic system, space groups P2(1)/n and P2(1)/c, respectively, with a = 12.837(3), b = 17.761(4), c = 12.914(3) A, beta = 91.32(2) degrees, and Z = 4 for 2, and a = 8.930(2), b = 18.543(4), c = 27.503(6) A, beta = 94.67(2) degrees, and Z = 4 for 3. The structures of 1 and 2 are made up of neutral [ReCl(4)(mu-ox)Cu(phen)(2)] bimetallic units. Re(IV) and Cu(II) metal ions exhibit distorted octahedral coordination geometries, being bridged by a bis(bidentate) oxalato ligand. The presence of acetonitrile molecules of crystallization in 2 causes a somewhat greater separation between the bimetallic complexes and a different packing of these units in the crystal structure with respect to 1. The copper-rhenium separation across oxalato is 5.628(2) in 1 and 5.649(3) A in 2. The structure of 3 is made up of two different and neutral bimetallic units, [ReCl(4)(mu-ox)Cu(terpy)(H(2)O)] and [ReCl(4)(mu-ox)Cu(terpy)(CH(3)CN)]. In the first one, the oxalate group behaves as a bis(bidentate) ligand occupying one equatorial and one axial position in the elongated octahedral environment of Cu(II). The water molecule is axially coordinated. In the second one, the oxalate group behaves as a bidentate/monodentate ligand occupying the axial position in the square pyramidal environment of Cu(II). The acetonitrile molecule occupies a basal coordination position around the copper atom. These units are arranged in such a way that a chlorine atom of the first unit (Cl(1)) points toward the copper atom (Cu(2))of the second one (3.077(2) A for Cl(1)(.)Cu(2)), forming a tetranuclear species. The copper-rhenium separation across bis(didentate) oxalato is 5.504(3) A, whereas that through bidentate/monodentate oxalato is 5.436(2) A. The magnetic behavior of 2 and 3 has been investigated over the temperature range 1.8-300 K. A very weak and nearly identical antiferromagnetic coupling between Re(IV) and Cu(II) through bis(bidentate) oxalato occurs in 2 (J = -0.90 cm(-1)) and 3 (J = -0.83 cm(-1)); it is ferromagnetic in 3 through both the bidentate-monodentate oxalato (J = +5.60 cm(-1)) and the chloro (J = +0.70 cm(-1)) bridges.

The preparation and crystal structures of two oxalato-bridged FeII-FeIII mixed-valence compounds, [FeII(bpm)3]2[FeIII2(ox)5].8H2O (1) and FeII(bpm)3Na(H2O)2FeIII(ox)(3).4H2O (2) (bpm = 2,2'-bipyrimidine; ox = oxalate dianion) are reported here. Complex 1 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1, with a = 10.998(2) A, b = 13.073(3) A, c = 13.308(3) A, alpha = 101.95(2) degrees, beta = 109.20(2) degrees, gamma = 99.89(2) degrees, and Z = 1. Complex 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c, with a = 12.609(2) A, b = 19.670(5) A, c = 15.843(3) A, beta = 99.46(1) degrees, and Z = 4. The structure of complex 1 consists of centrosymmetric oxalato-bridged dinuclear high-spin iron(III) [Fe2(ox)5]2- anions, tris-chelated low-spin iron(II) [Fe(bpm)3]2+ cations, and lattice water molecules. The iron atoms are hexacoordinated: six oxygen atoms (iron(III)) from two bidentate and one bisbidentate oxalato ligands and six nitrogen atoms (iron(II)) from three bidentate bpm groups. The Fe(III)-O(ox) and Fe(II)-N(bpm) bond distances vary in the ranges 1.967(3)-2.099(3) and 1.967(4)-1.995(3) A, respectively. The iron(III)-iron(III) separation across the bridging oxalato is 5.449(2) A, whereas the shortest intermolecular iron(III)-iron(II) distance is 6.841(2) A. The structure of complex 2 consists of neutral heterotrinuclear Fe(bpm)2Na(H2O)2Fe(ox)3 units and water molecules of crystallization. The tris-chelated low-spin iron(II) ([Fe(bpm)3]2+) and high-spin iron(III) ([Fe(ox)3]3-) entities act as bidentate ligands (through two bpm-nitrogen and two oxalato-oxygen atoms, respectively) toward the univalent sodium cation, yielding the trinuclear (bpm)2Fe(II)-bpm-Na(I)-ox-Fe(III)(ox)2 complex. Two cis-coordinated water molecules complete the distorted octahedral surrounding of the sodium atom. The ranges of the Fe(II)-N(bpm) and Fe(III)-O(ox) bond distances [1.968(6)-1.993(5) and 1.992(6)-2.024(6) A, respectively] compare well with those observed in 1. The Na-N(bpm) bond lengths (2.548(7) and 2.677(7) A) are longer than those of Na-O(ox) (2.514(7) and 2.380(7) A) and Na-O(water) (2.334(15) and 2.356(12) A). The intramolecular Fe(II)...Fe(III) separation is 6.763(2) A, whereas the shortest intermolecular Fe(II)...Fe(II) and Fe(III)...Fe(III) distances are 8.152(2) and 8.992(2) A, respectively. Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the temperature range 2.0-290 K for 1 reveal that the high-spin iron(III) ions are antiferromagnetically coupled (J = -6.6 cm-1, the Hamiltonian being defined as H = -JS1.S2). The magnitude of the antiferromagnetic coupling through the bridging oxalato in the magneto-structurally characterized family of formula [M2(ox)5](2m-10)+ (M = Fe(III) (1), Cr(III), and Ni(II)) is analyzed and discussed by means of a simple orbital model.

Unusual single N-bridging thiocyanato and double pyridazine (pdz) bridges occur in the linear trinuclear nickel(II) complex of formula [Ni3(pdz)6(NCS)6]. The compound exhibits a quasi Curie law behavior, the antiferromagnetic coupling through the double 1,2-diazine links being nearly compensated by the ferromagnetic exchange through the single N-bridging thiocyanato.

The new three-dimensional cobalt(II) complex of formula [Co2(bpm)(H2O)2(CO3)(OH)]NO3·4H2O (1) is obtained from aqueous solutions containing cobalt(II) nitrate hexahydrate, 2,2‘-bipyrimidine (bpm), ...

[(C 8 H 6 N 4 )Cl 4 Cu 2 ] et [(C 8 H 6 N 4 )Br 4 Cu 2 ] sont isostructuraux et cristallisent dans le groupe d'espace C2/m. Affinement des structures jusqu'a 0,025 et 0,042 respectivement

Background and Objectives: The human brain presents a functional asymmetry for every cognitive function, and it is possible that sexual hormones could have an impact on it. Visual–spatial attention, one of the most lateralized functions and one that is mainly dependent on the right hemisphere, represents a sentinel for functional cerebral asymmetry (FCA). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) or phytoestrogens could modulate FCA in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: We enrolled postmenopausal women who were taking MHT or soy isoflavones or receiving no therapy and asked them to perform the line bisection test at study enrollment and after 18 and 36 months. Results: Ninety women completed the follow-up. At zero time, women who had not been subjected to therapy showed a leftward deviation (F = −3.0), whereas, after 36 months, the test results showed a rightward deviation (F = 4.5; p < 0.01). Women taking MHT showed a leftward deviation at the start (F = −3.0) and a persistent leftward deviation after 36 months (F = −4.0; p = 0.08). Conversely, women taking soy isoflavones started with a leftward deviation (F = −3.0) that became rightward (F = 3.0), with a significant difference shown after 36 months (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Our data suggest that hormonal modulation improves the interplay between the two hemispheres and reduces FCA. We propose, therefore, that the functions of the right hemisphere are mainly affected by aging and that this could be one of the reasons why the right hemisphere is more susceptible to the effects of MHT.

Background and Objectives: Since the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval in 2005, the application of robotic surgery (RS) in gynecology has been adopted all over the world. This study aimed to provide an update on RS in benign gynecological pathology by reporting the scientific recommendations and high-value scientific literature available to date. Materials and Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed. Prospective randomized clinical trials (RCT) and large retrospective trials were included in the present review. Results: Twenty-two studies were considered eligible for the review: eight studies regarding robotic myomectomy, five studies on robotic hysterectomy, five studies about RS in endometriosis treatment, and four studies on robotic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) treatment. Overall, 12 RCT and 10 retrospective studies were included in the analysis. In total 269,728 patients were enrolled, 1721 in the myomectomy group, 265,100 in the hysterectomy group, 1527 in the endometriosis surgical treatment group, and 1380 patients received treatment for POP. Conclusions: Currently, a minimally invasive approach is suggested in benign gynecological pathologies. According to the available evidence, RS has comparable clinical outcomes compared to laparoscopy (LPS). RS allowed a growing number of patients to gain access to MIS and benefit from a minimally invasive treatment, due to a flattened learning curve and enhanced dexterity and visualization.

Background and Objectives: The type of instrumentation used during laparoscopic surgery might impact on the learning curve of resident surgeons. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in operator satisfaction and surgical outcomes between tissue sealers and classic bipolar instruments during gynecological laparoscopies performed by residents. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study conducted at two tertiary university hospitals between March 2019 and March 2021, on consecutive procedures: salpingo-oophorectomies (Group 1) and salpingectomies (Group 2), subdivided according to the utilized device: radiofrequency tissue sealers (Groups A1 and A2) or bipolar forceps (Groups B1 and B2). Results: 80 procedures were included. Concerning salpingo-oophorectomies, better visibility (8.4 ± 0.8 vs. 7.3 ± 0.9; p = 0.03), reduced difficulty (5.4 ± 1.2 vs. 7.0 ± 1.4; p = 0.02), improved overall satisfaction (9.2 ± 0.4 vs. 7.6 ± 1.0; p = 0.02) and reduced procedure time (7.8 ± 3.4 vs. 12.6 ± 3.1; p = 0.01) were reported by residents using tissue sealers. Intraoperative blood loss (12.2 ± 4.7 mL vs. 33.2 ± 9.7 mL; p = 0.01) and 24 h postoperative pain (4.5 ± 1.1 vs. 5.7 ± 1.8; p = 0.03) were lower in group A1 than B1. For salpingectomies, a significant reduction in duration was found in A2 compared to B2 (7.2 ± 3.4 min vs. 13.8 ± 2.2 min; p = 0.02). Tissue sealers enhanced visibility (8.1 ± 1.1 vs. 6.7 ± 1.4; p = 0.01), difficulty (6.5 ± 1.1 vs. 7.5 ± 0.9; p = 0.04) and improved satisfaction (9.3 ± 0.5 vs. 7.5 ± 0.6; p = 0.01). Moreover, hemoglobin loss and postoperative pain were reduced in A2 relative to B2 [(8.1 ± 4.2 % vs. 4.5 ± 1.1%; p = 0.02) and (5.1 ± 0.9 vs. 4.1 ± 0.8; p = 0.03), respectively] Conclusions: The use of sealing devices by residents was related to reduced difficulty as well improved visibility and overall satisfaction, with improved surgical outcomes.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a very common condition, negatively affecting social, occupational, domestic, and psychophysical wellbeing. In particular, a peculiar and detrimental effect of UI has been described concerning sexual function. However, the impact of UI on quality of life is not fully understood yet, and further investigation into this issue is warranted. With this narrative review, we aimed to report the current evidence from recent literature regarding the quality of life and psychological wellbeing in patients with urinary incontinence, with a special focus on sexual function and its evolution after UI treatment. There is strong evidence that urinary incontinence—in its different forms, including stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, and coital urinary incontinence—negatively affects female sexual function. Treatments aimed to cure urinary incontinence—including pelvic floor muscles training, medications, and surgery—seem to improve quality of life by recovering, at least in part, sexual function. In conclusion, there is a substantial association between involuntary urinary loss and sex life quality. However, few studies are available and more evidence is needed before consistent conclusions can be made.

Background and Objectives: Echinacea angustifolia and purpurea have known immunomodulatory effects which boost viral clearance, including HPV infection. However, evidence regarding the improvement due to Echinacea-based supplements of cervical HPV-related pathologies is still lacking. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Echinacea supplementation on the remission of cervical low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (L-SIL). Materials and Methods: A single-blind 1:1:1 parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Colposcopy Unit of a tertiary care referral center. Reproductive-aged women were allocated either to (a) an oral supplement based on Echinacea extracts plus vaginal hyaluronic acid-based soft gel capsules, (b) the Echinacea supplement alone, or (c) vaginal hyaluronic acid-based soft gel capsules alone for 3 months. The primary outcome was the regression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)-1 for each treatment arm at 3, 6 and 12 months after the diagnosis. Secondary outcomes included changes in the epithelialization, pap smear, colposcopic parameters, histological reports, and vaginal health indexes (VHI) in the study groups. Results: 153 women (52 for arm A, 50 for arm B and 51 for arm C) completed the follow-up and were included in the analysis. There were no significant differences in both primary and secondary outcomes for the three groups after 3 months. At the 6-month follow-up, the number of persistent CIN-1 diagnoses was significantly lower in arm A (15/51), rather than in arm B (23/48, p = 0.03) and C (27/49, p = 0.03). Similarly, the same effect was seen after 12 months for treatment A (5/51) relative to B (15/48, p = 0.03) and C (14/48, p = 0.03). Colposcopic, histological and vaginal parameters were all significantly improved at 6 and 12 months for arm A relative to B and C, while no beneficial effects were seen after 3 months. Conclusions: Echinacea extracts supplementation in women with L-SIL/CIN-1 significantly boosts HPV lesion clearance, reducing the overall amount of diagnosis, histological, colposcopic and vaginal parameters after 6 and 12 months. However, a limited sample size reduces the quality of evaluated evidence, emphasizing the need for additional studies to validate these findings.

Background: Studies of immigrants represent an useful tool to determine the relative relevance of environmental vs genetic factors in causing the reported rapid increase of the prevalence of sensitization and allergic diseases. Methods: A total of 152Albanian migrants to Southern Italy responded to a questionnaire based on the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) and 139 of them underwent skin prick test, and 61 serological assays for total IgE and IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (TG), herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Helicobacter pylori (HP). Results: Reported asthma was rare (2/152; 1.3%) and reported nasal allergies rather frequent (24/152; 15.8%). Sensitization to common inhalant allergens occurred in 27/139 (19.4%) subjects. The frequency of skin sensitization to pollen (P ¼ 0.003) and that of hay fever (P ¼ 0.004) increased with the time spent in Apulia. All the 61 sera had antibodies against HAV, 59/61 (96.7%) against HSV-1, 48/61 (78.7%) against HP and 34/61 (55.7%) against TG. The prevalence of skin sensitization and hay fever symptoms were correlated to the duration of residence in Southern Italy. Conclusions: Data presented indicate that Albanian migrants to Italy, in spite of the low prevalence of allergic diseases and sensitization in their country of origin, manifest with time an increasing prevalence of sensitization to local allergens and nasal symptoms after immigration to Italy. This would suggest a permanent role of allergen exposure and lifestyle factors in influencing the appearance of sensitization and symptoms of allergic diseases.