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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...

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