26 research outputs found
Intrapartum Ultrasound Parameters (Ultrasonographic Semeiotics)
No full textDuring the last decade, the value of ultrasounds has been confirmed for the diagnosis of feto-maternal disease and extended to the intrapartum examination. Ultrasound in labor can improve the assessment of fetal head position during labor [1].
The ultrasound examination can be performed during both the physiologic and dystocic delivery; it is a reliable technique, able to predict the possible complications of labor, thus allowing to choice the best management promptly. Several studies confirmed the reliability and utility of ultra- sounds in the delivery ward, where it is able to implement the routine clinical assessment. The manual obstetric evaluation is not replaced in the assessment of feto-maternal relation- ship and diameters, such as the external abdominal palpation according with the four Leopold’s maneuvers, the “in vivo” assessment of the obstetric pelvis to evaluate the competence of the birth canal and the pelvic diameters (Fig. 11.1).
Ultrasounds offer the option of a complementary exami- nation, able to improve the monitoring of first and second stage of labor. Rayburn et al. demonstrated the ultrasounds’ better accuracy in the assessment of fetal head position if compared to the digital obstetric examination [2], affected by a high rate error in the identification of the fetal head station, especially in case of head remodelling and presence of caput succedaneum. Kilpatrick observed that the accuracy of vagi- nal examination can be affected by the cervical shortening that compromises the palpation of the fetal presented part and ischial spines; contrarily, this is not happening with intrapartum ultrasound [3].
The recent literature refers to the classical partogram as poorly reliable, affected by the subjectivity of obstetric assessment, and supports the necessity of a more objective evaluation. An objective and documented examination is essential nowadays, especially at the light of a growing med- icolegal issue: ultrasounds allow to assess objectively the
A. Vimercati (*) · F. M. Crupano · M. Calabretti · E. Cicinelli 2nd Unit of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Biomedical and Human Oncological Science, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
ongoing labor and to store pictures of fetal position and pos- sible dangerous situations, so supporting the clinician choice and obstetric management [4].
All the above observations give reason of the increasing use of ultrasounds in the delivery ward; nevertheless it is important to keep in mind that also the ultrasound assess- ment is subjective, and despite its potentiality, it cannot replace the clinical assessment that should always be per- formed when approaching the patient, before every instru- mental examination.
The knowledge of specific ultrasound reference points allows to detail precisely the relationship between the fetal head and maternal pelvis and to follow the progression of labor, quickly detecting possible critical issues [5]. Several experts have been looking for similar parameters, so describ- ing various pelvic and ultrasound indexes; all of them are assessed by the translabial scan (Fig. 11.2), and the most sig- nificant described in literature are the following:
• Angle of progression (AoP)
• Head progression distance (PD) • Fetal head direction
• Head-perineum distance
• Head-symphysis distance (HSD) • Midline angle (MLA)
• Pubic arch angle (PAA
Cytotoxicity profiles and neuroprotective properties of the novel ifenprodil analogues as sigma ligands
No full textNeurodegeneration is a slow and progressive loss of neuronal cells or their function in specific regions of the brain or in the peripheral system. Among several causes responsible for the most common neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), cholinergic/dopaminergic pathways, but also some endogenous receptors, are often involved. In this context, sigma 1 receptor (S1R) modulators can be used as neuroprotective and antiamnesic agents. Herein, we describe the identification of novel S1R ligands endowed with antioxidant properties, potentially useful as neuroprotective agents. We also computationally assessed how the most promising compounds might interact with the S1R protein’s binding sites. The in silico predicted ADME properties suggested that they could be able to cross the brain-blood-barrier (BBB), and to reach the targets. Finally, the observation that at least two novel ifenprodil analogues (5d and 5i) induce an increase of the mRNA levels of the antioxidant NRF2 and SOD1 genes in SH-SY5Y cells suggests that they might be effective agents for protecting neurons against oxidative damage
Prevalence of colpocytological abnormalities in pregnant HIV-positive women and risk factors
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Cytotoxicity Profiles and Neuroprotective Properties of the Novel Ifenprodil Analogues as Sigma Ligands
No full textNeurodegeneration is a slow and progressive loss of neuronal cells or their function in specific regions of the brain or in the peripheral system. Among several causes responsible for the most common neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), cholinergic/dopaminergic pathways, but also some endogenous receptors, are often involved. In this context, sigma 1 receptor (S1R) modulators can be used as neuroprotective and antiamnesic agents. Herein, we describe the identification of novel S1R ligands endowed with antioxidant properties, potentially useful as neuroprotective agents. We also computationally assessed how the most promising compounds might interact with the S1R protein’s binding sites. The in silico predicted ADME properties suggested that they could be able to cross the brain-blood-barrier (BBB), and to reach the targets. Finally, the observation that at least two novel ifenprodil analogues (5d and 5i) induce an increase of the mRNA levels of the antioxidant NRF2 and SOD1 genes in SH-SY5Y cells suggests that they might be effective agents for protecting neurons against oxidative damage
Synthesis, Cytotoxicity Evaluation, and Computational Insights of Novel 1,4-Diazepane-Based Sigma Ligands
No full textAmong several potential applications, sigma receptor ligands can be used as antipsychotics, antiamnesics, and against other neurodegenerative disorders as well as neuroprotective agents. We present herein a new series of diazepane-containing derivatives as σR ligands obtained by a conformational expansion approach of our previously synthesized piperidine-based compounds. The best results were reached by benzofurane 2c, 3c and quinoline 2d, 3d-substituted diazepane derivatives, which showed the highest σR affinity. The cytotoxic activities of synthesized compounds were evaluated against two cancer cell lines, and the results indicated that none of the compounds induced significant toxicity in these cells. We also evaluated the antioxidant activity by radical scavenging capacity of our best compounds on ABTS and H2O2. The results obtained reveal that our new derivatives possess an excellent antioxidant profile and could be protective for the cells. Overall, the benzofurane derivative 2c due to its strong interaction with the active site of the receptor, as confirmed by molecular dynamic simulations, emerged as the optimum compound with high σ1R affinity, low cytotoxicity, and a potent antioxidant activity
Agrafos Urbanos. Urban Staples
No full textIl progetto prevede la riqualificazione di un vuoto urbano nella periferia di Barreiro, Lisbona mediante interventi poco invasivi ma capaci di ricucire parti di città divise da una rete ferroviaria parzialmente in disuso
The invasive microalga Chrysophaeum taylorii: Interactive stressors regulate cell density and mucilage production
No full textConsumer depletion alters seagrass resistance to an invasive macroalga
No full textFew field studies have investigated how changes at one trophic level can affect the invasibility of other trophic levels. We examined the hypothesis that the spread of an introduced alga in disturbed seagrass beds with degraded canopies depends on the depletion of large consumers. We mimicked the degradation of seagrass canopies by clipping shoot density and reducing leaf length, simulating natural and anthropogenic stressors such as fish overgrazing and water quality. Caulerpa racemosa was transplanted into each plot and large consumers were excluded from half of them using cages. Potential cage artifacts were assessed by measuring irradiance, scouring by leaf movement, water flow, and sedimentation. Algal invasion of the seagrass bed differed based on the size of consumers. The alga had higher cover and size under the cages, where the seagrass was characterized by reduced shoot density and canopy height. Furthermore, canopy height had a significant effect depending on canopy density. The alteration of seagrass canopies increased the spread of C. racemosa only when large consumers were absent. Our results suggest that protecting declining habitats and/or restoring fish populations will limit the expansion of C. racemosa. Because MPAs also enhance the abundance and size of fish consuming seagrass they can indirectly promote algal invasion. The effects of MPAs on invasive species are context dependent and require balancing opposing forces, such as the conservation of seagrass canopy structure and the protection of fish grazing the seagrass
Discovery of new potent dual sigma receptor/GluN2b ligands with antioxidant property as neuroprotective agents
No full textAmong several potential applications, sigma receptors (σRs) can be used as neuroprotective agents, antiamnesic, antipsychotics and against other neurodegenerative disorders. On the other hands, antagonists of the GluN2b-subunit-containing-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are of major interest for the same purpose, being this subunit expressed in specific areas of the central nervous system and responsible for the excitatory regulation of nerve cells. Under these premises, we have synthesized and biologically tested novel hybrid derivatives obtained from the combination of phenyloxadiazolone and dihydroquinolinone scaffolds with different amine moieties, peculiar of σ2R ligands. Most of the new ligands exhibited a pan-affinity towards both σR subtypes and high affinity against GluN2b subunit. The most promising compounds belong to the dihydroquinolinone series, with the best affinity profile for the cyclohexylpiperazine derivative 28. Investigation on their biological activity showed that the new compounds were able to protect SH-SY5Y cells against oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide treatment. These results proved that our dual σR/GluN2b ligands have beneficial effects in a model of neuronal oxidative stress and can represent strong candidate pharmacotherapeutic agents for minimizing oxidative stress-induced neuronal injuries
