2-[2-(4-Bromo-phen-yl)hydrazinyl-idene]-1,3-diphenyl-propane-1,3-dione

The conformation of the title mol­ecule, C₂₁H₁₅BrN₂O₂, is stabilized by a weak intra­molecular C—H⋯N hydrogen bond and a strong resonance-assisted N—H⋯O intra­molecular hydrogen bond. In the crystal, the mol­ecules are linked by weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O inter­actions, forming zigzag chains along the b axis.

Effect of primary polychemotherapy after sentinel lymph node biopsy on the necessity for lymphadenectomy in stage II breast cancer patients

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Background: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is the standard procedure for assessing axillary status in stage I-II breast cancer patients. Realizing this procedure before the administration of primary polichemotherapy would reduce the number of unnecesary lymphadenectomy in patients with negative sentinel lymph node. Methods: From January 2006 to May 2008, twenty-one patients with breast cancer on stage II-IIIA were included in the study. The median age was of 49 years (range 22–74y). The median palpable tumour size was of 3.5cm (range 1.8–6.0) and by ultrasonography 2.0cm (range 1.8–5.0cm.). Stage II:19 and Stage III:2 (cT:6.0cm.). Breast biopsy was performed in all cases with: IDC:20. G1:9 (42,8%), G:2:11(52%) and G3:1(4,76%). ER+:18 (85,7%), PR+:13 (61,9%), HER2 (+):6 (28,5) and triple negative:3 (14,2%).The scheme of treatment was: 4Epi: 90mg/M2 and Cyclophosphamide 600mg/M2 day 1/3w/4cycles, followed by paclitaxel (P) 100mg/M2 day 1/wekly/8. Trastuzumab was given during one year 4/2mg/Kg and started with (P). Tumorectomy and limphadenectomy was planned, followed by radiotherapy ± Hormonotherapy ± trastuzumab. Results: The 21 patients were evaluable for the analysis. The median sentinel lymph nodes resected was of 2 (range 2–6). The SLN biopsy was positive in 12 (57,1%) cases and negative in 9 (42,8%). Followed the primary chemotherapy, tumorectomy and axillary lymphadenectomy (AL) were performed in all 21 cases. The 12 positive SLN showed in the AL 9/12 (75%) pN0 and the 9 negative SLN showed in the AL 0/9 (0%) pN1. There were 4/20 (20%) completely pathological tumour response and 4/20 (20%) cases with only isolated malignant cells. The treatment was well tolerated with not a case of grade 3–4 toxicity. Conclusions: The primary chemotherapy given after the biopsy of sentinel lymph node was very effective showing in the lymphadenectomy a high percentage of pathologic negative lymph nodes (9/12) and an overall tumour response of 40% (8/20) with 4/20 (20%) completely pathological response and 4/20 (20%) cases with only isolated malignant cells.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

[Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in patients with chronic heart failure]

BACKGROUND

In chronic heart failure (CHF), endothelial dysfunction (ED) is a consequence of an imbalance of vascular tone regulating substances. The relationship between ED and inflammation has not been fully investigated.

AIM

To assess the association between inflammation and ED in CHF.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty two patients aged 56+/-14 years (80% male) with a CHF in functional capacity II-III (New York Heart Association) and an ejection fraction (FE) <40% were consecutively studied. Patients were classified according to the presence or absence of ED, evaluated by reactive vasodilation measured by ultrasound, after brachial artery compression. Circulating levels of highly sensitive C reactive protein (usCRP), tumor necrosis factor a (TNFá) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined by ELISA. A group of 15 healthy subjects of similar age, were studied as controls.

RESULTS

Sixty seven percent of patients had ED. Compared to controls, patients with CHF had higher usCRP (0.58+/-0.4 and 4.9+/-7.1 mg/dl respectively, p <0.01) and IL-6 (1.38+/-0.06 and 3.1+/-1.7 mg/dl respectively, p <0.01). Compared to patients without ED, patients with CHF and ED had higher levels of usCRP (3.0+/-0.4 and 6.0+/-5.7 mg/dl respectively, p <0.01) and TNFá (0.31+/-0.26 and 1.0+/-1.1 pg/ml, p =0.02). No differences in IL-6 were found between CHF groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In CHF patients, the presence of ED was associated with increased levels of inflammatory markers.

Comparison of bioreactors with different kinds of submerged packed beds for domestic wastewater treatment

The performance of aerobic submerged packed bed reactors was studied for the treatment of domestic wastewater using different kinds of packing materials with high specific areas (760-1,200 m(2)/m(3)). The tested materials were ceramic spheres, crushed tezontle, grains of high density polyethylene (HDPE), of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and of polypropylene (PP), cubes of polyurethane (PU) and polyethylene tape (SESSIL). The bioreactors were operated in continuous regime, applying organic loads in the range of 0.8-6.0 g COD.m(-2).d(-1). The obtained specific COD removal rates were very similar in all the reactors when they were operated at organic loads up to 2.0 g COD.m(-2).d(-1), after which differences in effectiveness appeared and the best results were determined in the reactors with SESSIL, LDPE and PU. Very low TSS, O&G and turbidity were obtained in all the effluents. The NH(3)-N and TN removals were dependent on the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration and the removals at DO of 5 mg/l were 84-99% and 61-74% respectively. The best removals were determined in the reactors with PU, SESSIL and LDPE. The reactor with tezontle had also a good performance when operated with loads up to 1.0 g TN.m(-2).d(-1). The best phosphate removals (38-49%) were obtained in the reactors with PU, tezontle, ceramic sheres and SESSIL.

Synthesis, characterization and properties of polymers containing simultaneously the imine and amide moieties

We present the synthesis of polymers by means of self-condensation of ethyl 3-aminophenyl acetate, using HCl as catalyst at high temperature and reduced pressure. This polymer was fractionated by successive precipitation from mixtures of methanol/diethylether of different polarity, yielding three polymeric fractions: Poly A, Poly B and Poly C. Likewise, under the same conditions, 3- aminophenyl acetic acid yields only one polymeric fraction, Poly D. These polymers were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and, in some cases, by 1H-NMR and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The obtained results show that polymers can be classified as hybrid materials, because in the backbone, they contain simultaneously the amide and imine groups and, at the end of the chain, they have amine and carboxylic acid functions. High solubility of some of these polymers in DMF or methanol has permitted the determination of viscosities and the preparation of films. Poly B and Poly C films exhibit amorphous morphology; and Poly D display spherullitic-type semi-crystallization pattern. The polymers can absorb solvents and they can swell up forming large-sized gels in DMF and methanol. Besides these polymers have high thermal stability that reaches a weight loss of 11.60% at 353 °C.

Assessment of breast lesions using Doppler with contrast agents

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use of contrast agents on ultrasound examination of breast lesions and to analyse the capacity of this technique to achieve a differential diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions, using as a pattern a histological study of the lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-two women with suspected malignant breast lesions participated in this randomised prospective study, undergoing a colour Doppler ultrasound (US). The results of the study were measured before and after the use of US contrast agents and were compared with the ones obtained from the histological study of the pieces.

RESULTS

Malignant breast tumours showed, when using US Doppler with contrast agent, a hypervascularity pattern in 78.1% of the cases. The predominant pattern in benign tumours was avascular (11 cases, 64.7%). The intensity of the signal in the first minute was intense in 43.7% or moderate in 40.6% of the cases with malignant tumours versus the benign tumours where no signal was registered in 64.7% of the cases. A marked increase in the sensitivity and the predictive negative value of the ultrasound signal was noted with the use of potentiating substances.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of contrast agents in colour Doppler US studies improve the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions.

[Major depression as a new risk factor for coronary heart disease in Chile]

BACKGROUND

Major depression, a frequent psychiatric disease, is associated with ischemic heart disease. It is usually subdiagnosed and subtreated.

AIM

To study the prevalence of major depression among survivors of an acute myocardial infarction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective study of 42 survivors of an acute myocardial infarction treated at a regional Chilean Hospital. The presence of major depression in the 6 months previous to the acute myocardial infarction, was investigated using the diagnostic instruments CIDI (Composite International Diagnostic Interview) and DIS (Diagnostic Interview Schedule), psychiatric diagnoses were based on DSMIII-R. The prevalence of depression was compared with that observed in a group of 156 healthy subjects participating in a psychiatric epidemiological study.

RESULTS

Major depression was diagnosed in 12 male subjects with an acute myocardial infarction. The prevalence in the control group was significantly lower (15%, p < 0.049). Patients with depression were older and required longer hospital stay than patients without depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with acute myocardial infarction, had a significantly greater prevalence of major depression in the previous 6 months, than the general population. Thus, major depression could be an independent and modifiable coronary risk factor.

Red wine intake prevents nuclear factor-kappaB activation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy volunteers during postprandial lipemia

BACKGROUND

Several epidemiological studies have demonstrated the beneficial effect of red wine intake in reducing total and cardiovascular mortality. This effect has been attributed in part to its antioxidant properties. Because the monocytes/macrophages and the nuclear transcription factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) are implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic lesions, we examined the effect of red wine intake on the activation of NF-kappaB in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Sixteen healthy volunteers were studied 3 times each: after a moderate dose, a low dose, and no wine with a fat-enriched breakfast. Lipid profile and NF-kappaB activation (electrophoretic mobility shift assay) were examined in blood samples taken before and 3, 6, and 9 hours after wine intake. In addition, mononuclear cells were incubated with VLDL in the presence of some antioxidants (quercetin and alpha-tocopherol succinate) contained in red wine to study their effects on NF-kappaB activation. Subjects receiving a fat-enriched breakfast had increased NF-kappaB activation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells coinciding with the augmentation in total triglycerides and chylomicrons. Red wine intake prevented NF-kappaB activity even though it induced a certain increase in serum lipids, particularly VLDL, that did not increase after the fat ingestion alone. However, another form of alcohol intake (vodka) did not modify the NF-kappaB activation provided by postprandial lipemia. In cultured mononuclear cells, isolated human VLDL caused NF-kappaB activation in a time-dependent manner that did not occur in the presence of the red wine antioxidants quercetin and alpha-tocopherol.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide a new potential mechanism to explain the beneficial effects of red wine intake in the reduction of cardiovascular mortality.

Atorvastatin reduces NF-kappaB activation and chemokine expression in vascular smooth muscle cells and mononuclear cells

Cardiovascular mortality, mainly due to the rupture of unstable atherosclerotic plaques, is reduced by 3-hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors. Inflammatory cells, attracted to the vascular lesion by chemokines, have been implicated in the process of the plaque rupture. In cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and U937 mononuclear cells we have studied the effect of Atorvastatin (Atv) on nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity, an inducer of the mRNA expression of chemokines such as interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1). Angiotensin II (Ang II) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) increased NF-kappaB activity in VSMC (2 and 5-fold, respectively). Preincubation of cells with 10(-7) mol/l Atv diminished this activation (44 and 53%). The inhibition was reversed by mevalonate, farnesylpyrophosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranylpyrophosphate (GGPP), but not by other isoprenoids. Coinciding with the NF-kappaB activation in VSMC, there was a diminution of cytoplasmic IkappaB levels that was recovered by pretreatment with Atv. Ang II and TNF-alpha induced the expression of IP-10 (1.5 and 3.4-fold) and MCP-1 (2.4 and 4-fold) in VSMC. Atv reduced this overexpression around 38 and 35% (IP-10), and 54 and 39% (MCP-1), respectively. Our results strongly suggest that Atv, through the inhibition of NF-kappaB activity and chemokine gene expression, could reduce the inflammation within the atherosclerotic lesion and play a role in the stabilization of the lesion.