Synthesis and photochromic behaviour of new methyl induced linear and angular thieno-2H-chromenes

New methyl induced linear and angular thieno-2H-chromenes 4, 5 and 6 were prepared by reaction of new methylated 6-hydroxybenzo[b]thiophenes 2 (a, b and c) and propargylic alcohols 3a and 3b, using acidic Alumina Brockmann I as catalyst and drying agent. Compounds 2 were prepared in good to excellent yields in a “one pot” three step reaction from the corresponding bromo compounds 1. The photochromic behaviour of compounds 4, 5 and 6b was evaluated with the aid of a classical set of spectrokinetic parameters, and compared to reference compounds that are benzoannellated in the 5,6 and 6,7 positions of the chromene (naphthopyrans) and also to thieno-2H-chromenes 7 and 8, previously prepared, which are analogues of 5a. The resistance to fatigue (photodegradation) under continuous irradiation was also evaluated.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia. Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Gestão do Instituto Politécnico de Bragança

Osmotic tolerance and freezability of isolated caprine early-staged follicles

Isolated caprine early-staged follicles were submitted to osmotic tolerance tests in the presence of sucrose, ethylene glycol (EG), or NaCl solutions and were exposed to and cryopreserved (by slow or rapid cooling) in MEM alone or MEM supplemented with sucrose, EG (1.0 or 4.0 M), or both. When follicles were exposed to 1.5 M NaCl, only 2% of the follicles were viable, whereas 87% of the follicles were viable after exposure to 4.0 M EG. Regarding exposure time, the highest percentage of viable follicles was obtained when follicles were exposed for 10 min to 1.0 M EG + 0.5 M sucrose; exposure for 60 s to 4.0 M EG + 0.5 M sucrose also maintained high percentage viability in follicles. Slow cooling in the presence of 1.0 M EG + 0.5 M sucrose (75%) or rapid cooling in the presence of 4.0 M EG + 0.5 M sucrose (71%) resulted in a significantly higher proportion of viable follicles than all other treatments (P < 0.05). A 24-h culture of frozen-thawed follicles was used to assess survival; only slow-frozen follicles showed viability rates similar to control follicles (64% vs. 69% respectively; P > 0.05). Interestingly, the percentage of viable rapid-cooled follicles (59%) was similar to that obtained after in vitro culture of conventional slow-cooled follicles but was significantly lower than that in controls. Thus, in addition to determining improved procedures for the exposure of follicles to EG and sucrose before and after freezing of caprine early-staged follicles, we report the development of rapid- and slow-cooling protocols

Restoration of ovarian function and natural fertility following the cryopreservation and autotransplantation of whole adult sheep ovaries

study question: Is it possible to restore ovarian function and natural fertility following the cryopreservation and autotransplantation of whole ovaries, complete with vascular pedicle, in adult females from a large monovulatory animal model species (i.e. sheep)? summaryanswer: Full (100%) restoration of acute ovarian function and high rates of natural fertility (pregnancy rate 64%; live birth rate 29%), with multiple live births, were obtained following whole ovary cryopreservation and autotransplantation (WOCP&TP) of adult sheep ovaries utilizing optimized cryopreservation and post-operative anti-coagulant regimes. what is known already: Fertility preservation byWOCP&TP requires successful cryopreservation of both the ovary and its vascular supply. Previous work has indicated detrimental effects ofWOCP&TP on the ovarian follicle population. Recent experiments suggest that these deleterious effects can be attributed to an acute loss of vascular patency due to clot formation induced by damage to ovarian arterial endothelial cells. study design, size, duration: Study 1 (2010-2011; N = 16) examined the effect of post-thaw perfusion of survival factors (angiogenic, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic; n = 7-8) and treatment with aspirin (pre-operative versus pre- and post-operative (n = 7-9)) on the restoration of ovarian function for 3 months afterWOCP&TP. Study 2 (2011-2012; N = 16) examined the effect of cryoprotectant (CPA) perfusion time (10 versus 60 min; n = 16) and pre- and post-operative treatment with aspirin in combination with enoxaparine (Clexane® n = 8) or eptifibatide (Integrilin® n = 8) on ovarian function and fertility 11-23 months afterWOCP&TP. participants/materials, setting, methods: Both studies utilized mature, parous, Greyface ewes aged 3-6 years and weighing 50-75 kg. Restoration of ovarian function was monitored by bi-weekly blood sampling and display of behavioural oestrus. Blood samples were assayed for gonadotrophins, progesterone, anti-Müllerian Hormone and inhibin A. Fertility restoration in Study 2 was quantified by pregnancy rate after a 3 month fertile mating period and was confirmed by ultrasound, hormonal monitoring and live birth. Ovarian function was assessed at sacrifice by ovarian appearance and vascular patency (Doppler ultrasound) and by follicular histology. main results and the role of chance: In Study 1, survival factors were found to have no benefit, but the inclusion of preoperative aspirin resulted in four ewes showing acute restoration of ovarian function within 3 weeks and a further six ewes showing partial restoration. The addition of post-operative aspirin alone had no clear benefit. In Study 2, combination of aspirin with additional post-operative anti-coagulants resulted in total acute restoration of ovarian function in 14/14 ewes within 3 weeks ofWOCP&TP, with 9/14 ewes becoming pregnant and 4/14 giving birth to a total of seven normal lambs. There was no difference between anti-coagulants in terms of restoration of reproductive function and fertility. In contrast, the duration of CPA perfusion was highly significant with a 60 min perfusion resulting in ovaries of normal appearance and function with high rates of primordial follicle survival (70%) and an abundant blood supply, whereas ovaries perfused for 10 min had either resorbed completely and were vestigial (7/14) orwere markedly smaller (P < 0.01). It is concluded that both the degree ofCPA penetration and the maintenance of post-operative vascular patency are critical determinants of the success ofWOCP&TP. limitations, reasons for caution: Before application of this technology to fertility preservation patients, it will be critical to optimize the CPA perfusion time for different sized human ovaries, determine the optimum period and level of anti-coagulant therapy, and confirm the normality of offspring derived from this procedure. wider implications of the findings: This technology holds promise for the preservation of fertility in women. It could also potentially be applied to the cryopreservation of other reproductive or even major organs (kidneys) where there are considerable difficulties in storing donated tissue. © The Author 2014

A nationwide analysis of incidence and outcome of breast cancer in the country of Surinam, during 1994-2003

In this study, we describe the incidence, treatment, and outcome of breast cancer (BC) during the period 1994-2003 in the South-American country of Surinam and compare these with those of BC in the Netherlands. Pathology reports and hospital charts from all BC cases diagnosed between 1994 and 2004 were retrieved from Surinam's single pathology laboratory and its five hospitals. Data on demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment, and follow-up were gathered. We compared our data to BC statistics of first generation immigrants from Surinam to the Netherlands. 421 patients were diagnosed with BC during the study period. The age-adjusted incidence rate was 26 per 100,000 compared to 65/100,000 in first generation Surinamese women in the Netherlands. The majority had a fairly advanced stage at presentation, with 60% of tumors larger than 2 cm, and 41.6% with lymph node involvement. Because of the absence of radiotherapy facilities, local treatment in most patients was radical mastectomy. Adjuvant hormonal therapy (51.6%) was administered more frequently than adjuvant chemotherapy (20.3%). A significant number of patients were lost to follow-up, resulting in a median follow-up duration of only 23 months. The 5-year overall survival was 79%. BC incidence in Surinam is low compared to that in the western world, but the advanced stage at diagnosis, the low utilization of systemic adjuvant therapy, and the inadequate follow-up may lead to poor outcomes. A number of steps are underway to improve the level of cancer care in Surina