Notizen: Facile Synthesis of N-Permethylspermine and N-Permethylspermidine from their Unmethylated Precursors

A rapid synthesis of the title compounds employing formaldehyde and sodium borohydride in acidic aqueous solution in combination with the unmethylated amines is described. High yields and the characteristics of the methylated amines allow the application of the method to gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric analyses

Chapter Hyaluronic-Based Antibacterial Hydrogel Coating for Implantable Biomaterials in Orthopedics and Trauma: From Basic Research to Clinical Applications

Bacterial colonization of implanted biomaterials remains one of the most challenging complications in orthopedics and trauma surgery, with extremely high social and economic costs. Antibacterial coating of implants has been advocated by many experts as a possible solution to reduce the burden of implant-related infection and several different solutions have been proposed in the last decades. However, while most of the investigated technologies have shown their efficacy in vitro and/or in vivo, only few were able to reach the market, due to clinical, industrial, economic and regulatory issues. Hyaluronic acid composites have been previously shown to possess antifouling capabilities and have been used in various clinical settings to reduce bacterial adhesion and mitigate biofilm-related infections. Recently, a fast-resorbable, hyaluronic-based hydrogel coating was developed to protect implanted biomaterials in orthopedics, trauma and maxillofacial surgery. Preclinical and clinical testing did show the safety and efficacy of the device that can be intraoperatively loaded with one or more antibiotics and directly applied by the surgeon to the implant surface, at the time of surgery. Here, we review the current evidence concerning this very first antibacterial coating of implants and outline the economic impact of the possible large-scale application of this technology

New eco-sustainable feed in aquaculture: influence of insect-based diets on the content of potentially toxic elements in the experimental model zebrafish (Danio rerio).

According to the concept of circular economy, insects represent good candidates as aquafeed ingredients. Nevertheless, there are some potential chemical risks linked with insect consumption. In this study, we reared the teleost Danio rerio, used as an experimental model, with five experimental diets characterized by increasing levels (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) of full-fat Hermetia illucens (Hi) prepupae, substituting for fish meal (FM) and fish oil (FO). We investigated the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) Cd, Pb, Ni, As, and Hg in larval (20 days), juvenile (2 months), and adult (6 months) fish. Quantitative determinations of Cd, Pb, Ni, and As were made with an atomic absorption spectrometer; the total mercury content was determined by a direct mercury analyzer. The substitution of FM and FO with Hermetia illucens meal led to a reduction in the content of some PTEs, such as Pb, As, and Ni, in fishfeed, leading to concentrations below the legal limit of undesirable substances in animal feed. By increasing the Hi meal dietary content, we observed in the Danio rerio specimens an increase in Cd, Pb, and Ni content and a reduction in As content for all life stages. Moreover, a general increase in the content of Cd, Pb, Hg, and Ni from larvae to juvenile was measured, while the shift of Danio rerio from the juvenile to the adult stage involved a significant increase in the content of Pb, Hg, and Ni. Larvae had a reduced ability to bioaccumulate metal(loid)s compared to juveniles and adults. In conclusion, the content of PTEs in Danio rerio is influenced both by the type of diet administered and by the life stage of the animal itself. This research demonstrates the possibility of using Hi prepupae as an aquafeed ingredient without exposing fish to a chemical risk and, in perspective, allows applying these eco-sustainable diets for the breeding of edible fish species, without endangering human healt

Greenland Snow Evidence of Large Scale Atmospheric Contamination for Platinum, Palladium, and Rhodium

Since 1976 in the United States, Canada, and Japan, and later in other countries, the exhaust system of gasoline powered cars has been equipped with catalytic converters containing Pt and/or Pd and/or Rh. This has resulted in a very significant decrease in urban air pollution for various chemical species such as NOx, CO, and hydrocarbons. There has however been concern that their ever increasing use might lead to Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) becoming widely dispersed in the environment. From the analysis of Pt, Pd, and Rh in central Greenland recent snow and ancient ice using the ultrasensitive inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry technique, we show here that the concentrations of these metals in snow dated from the mid 1990s are indeed 40−120 times higher than in ice dated from 7000 years ago. The fact that such an increase is observed far away from populated areas at a high altitude location indicates there is now a large scale contamination of the troposphere of the Northern Hemisphere for PGMs. Pt/Rh mass ratio in the most recent snow samples is close to the same ratio documented for catalytic converter exhausts in a recent study, which suggests that a large fraction of the recent increase for Pt and Rh might originate from automobile catalytic converters

The Use of Psychotropic Medication in Pediatric Oncology for Acute Psychological and Psychiatric Problems: Balancing Risks and Benefits

Severe acute behavioral and emotional problems represent one of the most serious treatment-related adverse effects for children and adolescents who have cancer. The critical and severe nature of these symptoms often makes necessary the use of psychotropic drugs. A working group composed of experts in multiple disciplines had the task of creating an agreement regarding a management plan for severe acute behavioral and emotional problems (SABEPs) in children and adolescents treated for cancer. To obtain global information on the use of psychotropic drugs in pediatric oncology, the working group first developed and mailed a 15-item questionnaire to many Italian pediatric oncology centers. Overall, an evident lack of knowledge and education regarding the use of psychotropic medications for the treatment of SABEPs was found. Thus, by referring to an adapted version of the Delphi method of consensus and standard methods for the elaboration of clinical questions (PICOs), the working group elaborated evidence-based recommendations for psychotropic drugs in the pediatric oncology setting. Furthermore, based on a thorough multivariate analysis of needs and difficulties, a comprehensive management flow was developed to optimize therapeutic interventions, which allows more accurate and efficient matching of the acute needs of patients while guiding treatment options

Why Are Outcomes Different for Registry Patients Enrolled Prospectively and Retrospectively? Insights from the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF).

Background: Retrospective and prospective observational studies are designed to reflect real-world evidence on clinical practice, but can yield conflicting results. The GARFIELD-AF Registry includes both methods of enrolment and allows analysis of differences in patient characteristics and outcomes that may result. Methods and Results: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and ≥1 risk factor for stroke at diagnosis of AF were recruited either retrospectively (n = 5069) or prospectively (n = 5501) from 19 countries and then followed prospectively. The retrospectively enrolled cohort comprised patients with established AF (for a least 6, and up to 24 months before enrolment), who were identified retrospectively (and baseline and partial follow-up data were collected from the emedical records) and then followed prospectively between 0-18 months (such that the total time of follow-up was 24 months; data collection Dec-2009 and Oct-2010). In the prospectively enrolled cohort, patients with newly diagnosed AF (≤6 weeks after diagnosis) were recruited between Mar-2010 and Oct-2011 and were followed for 24 months after enrolment. Differences between the cohorts were observed in clinical characteristics, including type of AF, stroke prevention strategies, and event rates. More patients in the retrospectively identified cohort received vitamin K antagonists (62.1% vs. 53.2%) and fewer received non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (1.8% vs . 4.2%). All-cause mortality rates per 100 person-years during the prospective follow-up (starting the first study visit up to 1 year) were significantly lower in the retrospective than prospectively identified cohort (3.04 [95% CI 2.51 to 3.67] vs . 4.05 [95% CI 3.53 to 4.63]; p = 0.016). Conclusions: Interpretations of data from registries that aim to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with AF must take account of differences in registry design and the impact of recall bias and survivorship bias that is incurred with retrospective enrolment. Clinical Trial Registration: - URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier for GARFIELD-AF (NCT01090362)

Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362

Ultrasonic detection of delaminations on composite materials

An accurate N.D.I. methodology can give a good knowledge of the internal damage status. The main purpose of the present paper is to describe the testing methodology and to discuss the testing procedures that have been performed in order to evaluate the position and the dimensions of the delaminations Chat occur in different composite materials under various load conditions. For the delaminations detection inside CFRP laminates and sandwich panels subjected to impact and fatigue loads, an ultrasonic apparatus, in form of reflection, has been utilized. This apparatus, suitable fnr in situ inspections, has been successfully utilized in our laboratory. The analysis of the experimental results shows the capability of the system to be adopted for any application where the presence of delaminations is expected