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The Prostaglandins are a family of naturally occurring acidic lipids which possess a variety of biological activities (1). The cardiovascular actions of these compounds, originally described as vasodepressors, have been widely investigated and the description of their vasomotor activity is today highly complicated by the differences not only among the various Prostaglandins but also among animal species and often vascular beds in the same animal (2).

Sulglycotide, a well known antisecretory and antiulcer compound, has been further investigated for its ability to protect rat gastric mucosa against extensive necrosis induced by absolute ethanol, NaOH (0.2N) and NaCl (30%). Sulglycotide, which has been compared with cimetidine, displays a dose-dependent cytoprotective activity against the above necrotizing agents. The results obtained indicate that Sulglycotide requires a normal prostaglandin biosynthetic process in order to manifest its antiulcer activity. In fact gastric mucosa from animals treated with Sulglycotide releases in vitro a greater amount of PGl2-like activity; and furthermore no protection was observed against gastric lesions induced by indomethacin. As far as the mode of action of Sulglycotide is concerned it is tempting to speculate that the compound may interfere with prostaglandin degradation or it may trigger an adaptive cytoprotection which is important in maintaining the cellular integrity of rat gastric mucosa.

When chopped human lung is stimulated with the Ca++ ionophore A23187 (0.25-10 microM) leukotriene (LT) B4, LTD4 and LTE4 are found in the incubation medium according to different patterns. LTD4 is released promptly and its levels increase up to 45 min after the stimulus (A23187, 10 microM) and decline later (120 min); LTE4 formation follows a sigmoidal shape and continues to accumulate even 2 hr after the challenge; LTB4 levels reach a plateau at 45 min. LTC4 was undetectable in most experiments but it was found to accumulate when reduced glutathione (10 mM) was added. Addition of exogenous LTC4 to unstimulated fragments of human lung shows that an effective interconversion to LTD4 and LTE4 takes place: A23187 stimulates formation of LT and cyclo-oxygenase products dose dependently; a statistically significant formation of LT occurs at A23187 concentration of 1 microM whereas thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-K-prostaglandin F1 alpha levels increased significantly only at 2.5 microM A23187. Pretreatment with U-60257 (100 microM) prevented formation of LT without a concomitant increase of TXB2 levels. Indomethacin (1.5 microM) blocked the release of 6-K-prostaglandin F1 alpha and TXB2 without a shift of arachidonic acid towards LT-like activity. Addition of exogenous LTC4 did not trigger synthesis of TXB2 or 6-K-prostaglandin F1 alpha. Our results indicate that reduced glutathione levels and the activity of the enzymes involved in LT biosynthesis and/or metabolism play an important role in controlling the pattern of LT release from human lung.

Resistance to lung inflation and blood pressure were monitored together with biological and radioimmunological determination of circulating thromboxane A2 (TxA2) in anaesthetized guinea-pig. Bamifylline, a 2-benzyl-[4,5-d]-imidazopyrimidine derivative, and theophylline were compared for their antagonistic activity against the pulmonary effect of histamine (0.05 mumol/kg i.v.), leukotriene C4 (LTC4, 0.016 mumol/kg i.v.), platelet-activating factor (PAF, 0.0002 mumol/kg i.v.) and acetylcholine (0.1 mumol/kg i.v.). Bamifylline, as well as theophylline, showed a dose-dependent antagonistic activity against both bronchoconstriction and TxA2 generation induced by the above agonists. However, except for histamine where the two compounds were equiactive, bamifylline was 2 times more potent than theophylline. The maximal inhibitory activity was found against bronchoconstriction induced by PAF (ED50 = 6.5 mumol/kg i.v.) followed by histamine (ED50 = 9.5 mumol/kg i.v.), acetylcholine (ED50 = 24.3 mumol/kg i.v.) and LTC4 (ED50 = 31.6 mumol/kg i.v.). Bamifylline (3, 10, 30, 100 mumol/kg i.v.) and theophylline (3, 10, 30, 100 mumol/kg i.v.) protected guinea-pig from antigen-induced bronchoconstriction and TxA2 generation in ovalbumin actively sensitized animals. Also in this series of experiments bamifylline was more potent than theophylline, the ED50 being 9.3 mumol/kg i.v. and 22.9 mumol/kg i.v., respectively. These pharmacological data represent new support for the protecting effect of bamifylline against respiratory damage induced by well known anaphylaxis mediators.

The general pharmacological profile of levodropropizine (S(-)3-(4-phenyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propane-1,2-diol, DF 526), a new antitussive drug, was compared with that of dropropizine racemate. Levodropropizine had weaker central sedative effects than the racemate and it did not induce physical dependence in rats. When given intravenously or intraperitoneally, levodropropizine did not exert any significant effects on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Receptor binding data excluded interaction with beta-adrenergic, muscarinic and opiate receptors. On the contrary, levodropropizine has affinity for H1-histaminic and alpha-adrenergic receptors. The affinity was also confirmed with isolated organ preparations. On the basis of this study, levodropropizine appears to have a better tolerability index than the racemate.

2-Carbodecyloxy-17 alpha-methylandrosta-1,4-dien-11 beta,17 beta-dihydroxy-3-one (decylroxibolone, BR 917) is a new androstane derivative, esterified with decyl alcohol, carrying a methyl group in the 17 position, a hydroxyl group in the 11 beta position and a carboxyl group in position 2. Unlike norandrostenolone decanoate, decylroxibolone did not cause any weight increase of the levator ani muscle and of the seminal vesicles in castrated rats, nevertheless exerting a marked antiglucocorticoid activity. This new steroid agent can consequently act positively on the nitrogen metabolism, being concurrently devoid of undesired virilizing anabolic effect.

In this study 2-guanidinebenzimidazole (GBI) and 1-phenylbiguanide (PBG) appear to be capable of decreasing gastric acid secretion, while the compounds dimethylbiguanide and cyanoguanidine do not. Thus, the antisecretory effect is present when the biguanide groups are associated with lipophilic molecules. GBI and PBG depress gastric acid secretion, even when it has been stimulated by carbamoylcholine (carbachol) or betazole. The antihistamine effects of GBI and PBG on betazole-stimulated gastric acid secretion were confirmed by the inhibitory activity of these compounds on the isolated guinea pig auricle stimulated by histamine. The antimuscarine activity of GBI and PBG on carbachol-stimulated gastric acid secretion in rats is also supported by the way in which these same drugs depress the motility of the duodenum and colon of the anaesthetized cat stimulated by prostigmine. The above mentioned effects of these compounds are also associated with myolytic activity, since they decrease the spontaneous and histamine-stimulated motility of the duodenum and colon. GBI and PBG probably depress gastric acid secretion by interfering with both histamine and acetylcholine receptors and with other sites involved in the secretory process.

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1: 11 alpha, 15 dihydroxy-9-keto-prost-13 enoic acid) is the best known of a series of lipid soluble acidic compounds (prostaglandins) present in mammalian tissues and biological fluids [1, 2]. The prostaglandins include several closely related components isolated and elucidated from the point of View of their chemical structure by Bergstrom et al. [3, 4]. They are hiosynthesized in mammalian organisms from the corresponding polyunsaturated fatty acids (arachidonic, homo-gamma-linolinic acid [5] and exhibit biological activity in vitro and in vivo at extremely low concentrations: vasodepression [6], smooth (muscle contraction [7, 8] and inhibition of free fatty acid release from adipose tissue [9, 10, 11].

The use of several different synthetic lubricants in the formulation of multigrade motor oils is examined from the point of view of their physical and chemical characteristics and the commercial suitability. The influence of synthetic lubricant bases upon some of the performance characteristics of conventional additives has been considered. Engine test results using an SAE 10W/50 oil containing an ester base are compared with the performance of a similar SAE grade motor oil based upon mineral oil alone.

Reserpine does not alter the accumulation of l - or d -metaraminol in the adrenergic neurones of rabbit heart slices. Ouabain and desipramine decrease uptake by inhibition of the neuronal membrane amine pump, but the preference of the concentrating mechanism for the levo form is retained. In the reserpinized heart slice, ouabain action on accumulation of l -metaraminol is greatly enhanced, but a similar potentiation of ouabain action on d -metaraminol does not occur. Reserpine does not enhance the inhibitory action of desipramine, nor does tetrabenazine duplicate the ouabain-enhancing effect of reserpine on l -metaraminol accumulation. It is suggested that reserpine has a separate effect over and above a tetrabenazine-like action on amine storage granules, and, perhaps by creating a local ionic imbalance in the cell, allows ouabain to exert a greater effect on a local Na + -K + -ATPase-amine pump linked mechanism which normally allows the levo form of catecholamines to be accumulated more rapidly than the dextro form.

To evaluate the effects of kinesiophobia on the outcomes of total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and to investigate whether kinesiophobia represents an independent factor influencing the surgery success or whether the observed effects are driven by other physical or psychological aspects such as anxiety and depression. Two hundred patients were evaluated prospectively (mean age 65.7 ± 9.1 years, 134 women and 66 men) at 12 months after TKA. Kinesiophobia was assessed with the Tampa Scale for kinesiophobia (TSK: Activity Avoidance—TSK1 and Harm—TSK2 subscales); anxiety and depression were assessed with STAI and BDI, respectively, and preoperative pain and function, sex, age, BMI, education level, number of painful joints and years of symptoms’ duration before surgery were documented as well. Results were evaluated with pain and function on 0–10 numeric rating scales, while the overall clinical outcome was documented with WOMAC and SF-12 (Physical and Mental subscales) scores. TSK1 was correlated with WOMAC results at 12 months (p = 0.005, ρ = 0.197). STAI (p = 0.002, ρ = 0.222), BDI (p

Viene mettona in evidenza l'effetto contratturante del Guo-3′:5′-P sulla muscolatura liscia di stomaco di ratto in vitro. Tale effetto e antagonizzato dall'Atropina e scompare dopo vagotomia. Una possibile interazione fra il Guo-3′:5′-P e la trasmissione colinergica sembra cosi emergere da questi primi risultati.

The electoral rise of Salvini’s League is one of the novelties on the Italian political scene. In 2020, Salvini’s party has gone ahead with its bid for hegemony in government and the centre-right coalition, although having to face the rise of a potential right-wing competitor, Giorgia Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia. The chapter sets out to explore the reasons behind the Salvini League’s attainment of national, and on some occasions even international, prominence; what resources it deployed to tackle and surmount the critical phase in the first period; and the prospects and limitations it faces in Italy’s present socio-political and economic predicament. Formally, the Northern League was founded in 1991, though its roots were inextricably planted in the independence and autonomy movements arising in the 1960s–1980s in several northern Italian regions, especially around the Liga Veneta. Much like Euroscepticism, sovereignism has served as a tool to turn the League into a catch-all party on the Italian political scene.

Varicella-like exanthem as a specific COVID-19-associated skin manifestation: Multicenter case series of 22 patients

Nel riferirsi alle politiche di contrasto alla povertà, con particolare riguardo alla situazione italiana, il contributo approfondisce le logiche sottostanti alle misure adottate nel confronto fra un approccio economico-monetario ed uno legato a progetti di inclusione sociale, altrimenti riconducibili alla dimensione cash e in kind delle politiche di welfare, evidenziando punti di contatto e punti di divergenza, anche rispetto a quanto emerge in termini di implementazione delle policies.

Negli anni Settanta del secolo scorso furono messi in luce a ridosso dell’agora di Iasos sette blocchi pertinenti a un unico monumento. I blocchi di marmo (rinvenuti fuori contesto ed in parte reimpiegati) sono stati poi collocati nell’Antiquarium (il cosiddetto Balık Pazarı) e sono rimasti sostanzialmente inediti. In particolare, si tratta di tre blocchi modanati di coronamento e di quattro lastroni di dimensioni più grandi; alcuni di essi recano a rilievo bucefali dai quali pendono ghirlande floreali con vittae e decorate con frutti. Il rilievo analitico dei singoli elementi ha consentito di formulare una ipotesi di ricomposizione grafica: i blocchi sembrano essere riconducibili ad un basamento che doveva presentare almeno due spigoli. A causa dell’assenza del contesto originale di impiego o di dati epigrafici, si avanza un’ipotesi di inquadramento cronologico nel II sec. a.C., basata su elementi stilistici e compositivi. Il tema raffigurato e l’aspetto che emerge dalla ricostruzione grafica inducono a ipotizzare che i blocchi possano essere stati pertinenti a un altare monumentale.