Multi-modal analysis of infant cry types characterization: Acoustics, body language and brain signals

BACKGROUND

Infant crying is the first attempt babies use to communicate during their initial months of life. A misunderstanding of the cry message can compromise infant care and future neurodevelopmental process.

METHODS

An exploratory study collecting multimodal data (i.e., crying, electroencephalography (EEG), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), facial expressions, and body movements) from 38 healthy full-term newborns was conducted. Cry types were defined based on different conditions (i.e., hunger, sleepiness, fussiness, need to burp, and distress). Statistical analysis, Machine Learning (ML), and Deep Learning (DL) techniques were used to identify relevant features for cry type classification and to evaluate a robust DL algorithm named Acoustic MultiStage Interpreter (AMSI).

RESULTS

Significant differences were found across cry types based on acoustics, EEG, NIRS, facial expressions, and body movements. Acoustics and body language were identified as the most relevant ML features to support the cause of crying. The DL AMSI algorithm achieved an accuracy rate of 92%.

CONCLUSIONS

This study set a precedent for cry analysis research by highlighting the complexity of newborn cry expression and strengthening the potential use of infant cry analysis as an objective, reliable, accessible, and non-invasive tool for cry interpretation, improving the infant-parent relationship and ensuring family well-being.

How can cry acoustics associate newborns' distress levels with neurophysiological and behavioral signals?

Introduction

Even though infant crying is a common phenomenon in humans' early life, it is still a challenge for researchers to properly understand it as a reflection of complex neurophysiological functions. Our study aims to determine the association between neonatal cry acoustics with neurophysiological signals and behavioral features according to different cry distress levels of newborns.

Methods

Multimodal data from 25 healthy term newborns were collected simultaneously recording infant cry vocalizations, electroencephalography (EEG), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and videos of facial expressions and body movements. Statistical analysis was conducted on this dataset to identify correlations among variables during three different infant conditions (i.e., resting, cry, and distress). A Deep Learning (DL) algorithm was used to objectively and automatically evaluate the level of cry distress in infants.

Results

We found correlations between most of the features extracted from the signals depending on the infant's arousal state, among them: fundamental frequency (F0), brain activity (delta, theta, and alpha frequency bands), cerebral and body oxygenation, heart rate, facial tension, and body rigidity. Additionally, these associations reinforce that what is occurring at an acoustic level can be characterized by behavioral and neurophysiological patterns. Finally, the DL audio model developed was able to classify the different levels of distress achieving 93% accuracy.

Conclusion

Our findings strengthen the potential of crying as a biomarker evidencing the physical, emotional and health status of the infant becoming a crucial tool for caregivers and clinicians.

A real-world assessment of the distribution of lipid levels across increasing lipoprotein(a) levels in patients with established cardiovascular disease in the United States

Background and purpose

Measurements of lipid levels are frequently used to assess the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), including future myocardium infarction (MI) and ischemic stroke. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has been established as an independent risk factor for developing CVD, however it is not widely measured. This real-world study assessed the distribution of lipid (Total Cholesterol [TC], low-density cholesterol [LDL-C], high-density cholesterol [HDL-C] and Triglycerides [TGs]) levels across different Lp(a) strata of patients with established CVD and at least one Lp(a) assessment.

Methods

This was a descriptive, non-interventional, retrospective cohort study of patients with established CVD and at least one Lp(a) assessment in the Optum® de-identified Electronic Health Record dataset (2007–2019). The index date was defined as the date of the first established CVD (MI, ischemic stroke or peripheral artery disease diagnosis) in the identification period (1/1/2008–30/6/2018) following one-year continuous enrollment. Patients were followed for up to one year, until death or transfer out of the dataset, whichever occurred first.

Results

5,434 patients (55.5% males) with established CVD and at least one Lp(a) assessment having a mean (SD) age of 62.5 (12.6) years were evaluated. During the 12 months pre-index period, 49.9%, 46.1%, 48.1% and 49.8% of these patients had a measurement of TC, LDL-C, HDL-C and TGs, respectively. Overall, the mean (SD) TC, LDL-C, HDL-C and TGs levels were 182.1 (47.0) mg/dL [n=2,712], 102.6 (40.1) mg/dL [n=2,503], 52.7 (16.7) mg/dL [n=2,614], and 140.3 (108.8) mg/dL [n=2,707], respectively. More than half of these patients were treated with at least one lipid lowering drug (includes statins, ezetimibe, fibrates, niacin or PCSK9is) during the pre-index period. The mean (SD) levels of TC, LDL-C, HDL-C and TG in patients with Lp(a) <30 mg/dL, 30–50] mg/dL, 50–70 mg/dL, 70–90 mg/dL and ≥90 mg/dL are presented in Figure 1.

Conclusions

Overall, no trends in the levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C or triglycerides were observed across increasing levels of lipoprotein(a). These findings suggest the measurement of lipoprotein(a) is required to ensure a complete characterization of a patient lipid profile.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Novartis Pharma AG

Characteristics of patients with at least one lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] assessment and those with Lp(a) levels equal to or greater than 70 mg/dL: a real-world study in the US

Background and purpose

Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The objective of this real-world study was to characterize the patients in the United States (US) that have an Lp(a) assessment and those with Lp(a) levels ≥70 mg/dL.

Methods

This is a descriptive, non-interventional, retrospective cohort study of patients with at least one Lp(a) assessment and one-year continuous enrollment prior to index date (first Lp(a) assessment in the identification period i.e. 1/1/2008–30/6/2019) using the Optum® de-identified Electronic Health Record (EHR) dataset (2007–2019) in the US. Optum's longitudinal EHR repository include more than 700 Hospitals and 7000 Clinics; treating more than 95 million patients receiving care in the US.

Results

26,997 patients (50.8% females) with ≥1 Lp(a) assessment having a mean (SD) age of 52.6 (14.1) years were evaluated. Patient distribution across Lp(a) levels ≥30, ≥50, ≥70, and ≥90 mg/dL were 32.4%, 20.2%, 12.3%, and 6.6%, respectively. Patients with Lp(a) ≥70 mg/dL (N=3,314) had a mean (SD) age of 54.7 (13.2) years and 55.2% were female. The overall population that gets tested for Lp(a) and the subgroup of patients with Lp(a) ≥70 mg/dL had prior myocardial infarction (4.8% and 6.2%), prior ischemic stroke (2.2% and 2.5%), peripheral artery disease (6.7% and 8.4%), dyslipidaemia (72.6% and 80.9%), hypertension (53.0% and 60.9%), diabetes mellitus (23.5% and 26.8%) and chronic ischemic heart disease (19.6% and 24.6%) at index. The use of baseline medications included statins (37.3% and 49.1%), ACEi/ARBs (28.2% and 34.0%) and beta-blockers (19.0% and 23.6%) for the overall population and those patients with Lp(a) ≥70 mg/dL, respectively.

The mean (SD) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and total cholesterol levels were 109.8 (39.8) mg/dL [n=7,371], 138.3 (119.3) mg/dL [n=8,179] and 190.5 (46.8) mg/dL [n=8,181], respectively for overall population and 114.8 (41.5) mg/dL [n=980], 129.6 (80.5) mg/dL [n=1,063] and 195.9 (47.6) mg/dL [n=1,056] for patients with Lp(a) ≥70 mg/dL.

Conclusions

Of patients with an Lp(a) assessment in the US, more than 10% had Lp(a) levels ≥70 mg/dL. These patients were frequently diagnosed with dyslipidaemia and when reported showed elevated LDL-C and total cholesterol values. Further analyses are required to better understand any differences in patient characteristics and treatment of patients across Lp(a) levels.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Novartis Pharma AG

DYRK1A promotes dopaminergic neuron survival in the developing brain and in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease

In the brain, programmed cell death (PCD) serves to adjust the numbers of the different types of neurons during development, and its pathological reactivation in the adult leads to neurodegeneration. Dual-specificity tyrosine-(Y)-phosphorylation regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) is a pleiotropic kinase involved in neural proliferation and cell death, and its role during brain growth is evolutionarily conserved. Human DYRK1A lies in the Down syndrome critical region on chromosome 21, and heterozygous mutations in the gene cause microcephaly and neurological dysfunction. The mouse model for DYRK1A haploinsufficiency (the Dyrk1a(+/-) mouse) presents neuronal deficits in specific regions of the adult brain, including the substantia nigra (SN), although the mechanisms underlying these pathogenic effects remain unclear. Here we study the effect of DYRK1A copy number variation on dopaminergic cell homeostasis. We show that mesencephalic DA (mDA) neurons are generated in the embryo at normal rates in the Dyrk1a haploinsufficient model and in a model (the mBACtgDyrk1a mouse) that carries three copies of Dyrk1a. We also show that the number of mDA cells diminishes in postnatal Dyrk1a(+/-) mice and increases in mBACtgDyrk1a mice due to an abnormal activity of the mitochondrial caspase9 (Casp9)-dependent apoptotic pathway during the main wave of PCD that affects these neurons. In addition, we show that the cell death induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), a toxin that activates Casp9-dependent apoptosis in mDA neurons, is attenuated in adult mBACtgDyrk1a mice, leading to an increased survival of SN DA neurons 21 days after MPTP intoxication. Finally, we present data indicating that Dyrk1a phosphorylation of Casp9 at the Thr125 residue is the mechanism by which this kinase hinders both physiological and pathological PCD in mDA neurons. These data provide new insight into the mechanisms that control cell death in brain DA neurons and they show that deregulation of developmental apoptosis may contribute to the phenotype of patients with imbalanced DYRK1A gene dosage.

[Thyroid carcinoma in pediatrics: a 30-year follow-up]

INTRODUCTION

The thyroid tumours are infrequent neoplasms of presentation in paediatric. The object of this study was to value therapeutic evolution and the survival throughout 30 years.

MATERIALS

28 cases with diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma. Were reviewed from 1978 to 2008. Were the variables to study: epidemiologists, methods used diagnostic, type of histology, later treatment and survival to 300 months to the treatment. We like considered significant p <0.05.

RESULTS

73.1% of the cases were of feminine sex. The average age was 12.3 years (1.6 to 19). The ultrasound was asked for the test more (78.5%). The RET mutation associated appear in three cases to MEN. The histology type to papillary was most frequent (50%). The total thyroidectomy (TT) was the surgery practice more (67.9%). The radioiodine (RI) was used in 46.4% of the cases. The substitute hormonal therapy was used 27 patients. 89.29% of the were series after 300 months free of disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment of the series these are hundreds throughout 30 years, but when valuing our experience we include / understand that: 1) the TT with selective lymphatic dissection, 2) it in the RI cases with positive to the body tracking and/or of factors of risk and 3) the substitute hormonal therapy, is the at the moment best offer alternatives to than we can these paediatric patients and prolong the survival in adult its age.

Description of sorbing tracers transport in fractured media using the lattice model approach

The transport of contaminants in fractured media is a complex phenomenon with a great environmental impact. It has been described with several models, most of them based on complex partial differential equations, that are difficult to apply when equilibrium and nonequilibrium dynamics are considered in complex boundaries. With the aim of overcoming this limitation, a combination of two lattice Bathnagar, Gross and Krook (BGK) models, derived from the lattice Boltzmann model, is proposed in this paper. The fractured medium is assumed to be a single fissure in a porous rock matrix. The proposed approach permits us to deal with two processes with different length scales: advection-dispersion in the fissure and diffusion within the rock matrix. In addition to the mentioned phenomena, sorption reactions are also considered. The combined model has been tested using the experimental breakthrough curves obtained by Garnier et al. (Garnier, J.M., Crampon, N., Préaux, C., Porel, G., Vreulx, M., 1985. Traçage par 13C, 2H, I- et uranine dans la nappe de la craie sénonienne en écoulement radial convergent (Béthune, France). J. Hidrol. 78, 379-392.) giving acceptable results. A study on the influence of the lattice BGK models parameters controlling sorption and matrix diffusion on the breakthrough curves shape is included.

Studies of wet granulation in small scale high shear mixer of 20 mg tablets of policosanol

It was studied the influence of three factors in the manufacturing process of tablets containing 20 mg of policosanol in a small scale when was used a high shear mixer. A factorial design without repetitions was used, considering as independent variables: volume of binder solution, kneading time and the use or not of chopper. Data analysis was carried out using the Yates algorithm, considering the effect of these three factors over the diameter of the granules, the percent of fine powders in granulate and the compression forces. The diameter of the granules was increased with an increase in the volume of the binder solution added and with an increase in the kneading time and was decreased when the chopper was used. The percent of fine powders, present in granulate, was significantly diminished with an increase of the volume of binder solution and diminished with an increase in the kneading time, the influence of the use of chopper was insignificant. The compression forces diminished with the use of chopper, with the increase of the volume of binder solution used and are not affected with the changes in the kneading time.

Stability studies of tablets containing 5 mg of policosanol

The stability studies of tablets containing 5 mg of policosanol, a new cholesterol lowering drug, were conducted to predict an expiration date and to search the appearance of putative degradation products. All quality parameters such as colour, moisture content, hardness, disintegration, policosanol content and microbiological limits of the tablets were assessed. The effect of extreme treatments such as acid and basic hydrolysis, oxidative and photolytic degradation as well as thermal degradation, on the policosanol content was studied. In addition, studies under extreme conditions of storage [(40 +/- 2) degree C and (75 +/- 5)% R.H.] as well as 37, 45, 55 and 60 degrees C combined with 50, 75 and 92% R.H.) and under ambient conditions of storage for climatic zones II and IV were performed. These studies demonstrate that these tablets are a stable pharmaceutical formulation, without significant changes in their quality criteria at the stressed conditions used, so that policosanol content remains unchanged during the entire studies. The chromatographic profile of the samples after 9 months of thermal degradation shows chromatographic peaks that corresponds to the palmitate and stearate esters of octacosanoyl, triacontanoyl and hexacosanoyl, being the only degradation products observed on these studies.

Study of the stability of tablets containing 10 mg of policosanol as active principle

The stability studies of tablets containing 10 mg of policosanol, a new cholesterol lowering drug, were conducted to predict an expiration date and to search the appearance of putative degradation products. All quality specification parameters such as colour, moisture content, hardness, disintegration, policosanol content and microbiological limits of the tablets were done. The effect of drastic treatments such as acid and basic hydrolysis, oxidative and photolytic degradation as well as thermolysis on such parameters was studied. In addition; studies under drastic conditions of storage (40 degrees C and 75% R.H.) and under ambient conditions of storage for climatic zones II and IV were performed. These studies demonstrate that these tablets are a stable pharmaceutical formulation, without significant changes on their quality criteria at the stressed conditions studied. The chromatographic profile of the samples after 9 months of thermal degradation shows chromatographic peaks that corresponds to the octacosanoyl, triacontanoyl and hexacosanoyl esters of palmitate and stearate, being the only degradation products observed on these studies.

Study of the interaction between policosanol and excipients

Policosanol is an active principle, composed by 8 fatty alcohols: 1tetracosanol, 1-hexacosanol, 1-heptacosanol, 1-octacosanol, 1-nonacosanol, 1-triacontanol, 1-dotriacontanol and 1-tetratriacontanol that shows a very stable, well defined and reproducible composition from batch to batch that is analysed using gas chromatography. Continuing the studies of the compatibility among policosanol and different tablet excipients, it was studied if the mixtures of those excipients with policosanol produce chemical interactions between them, the samples were analysed using gas chromatography and was determined if it was affected the content of policosanol in them. When all the samples were analysed, no changes in the policosanol content of the samples were observed, and it was considered that no interactions are produced in any of the mixtures policosanol/excipients under study.

Physico-mechanical characterization of policosanol, a novel hypocholesterolemic drug

As part of the formulation studies of policosanol, a new hypocholesterolemic drug, a physico-mechanical characterization was developed. Thermal analysis, using differential scanning calorimetry was used to evaluate the purity of policosanol from batch to batch and, also, the particle size distribution. The degree of wettability of policosanol was studied by measuring the contact angle and solubility in different solvents. The compressibility and cohesion of particles were evaluated using a profile of compression forces, ranging between 6.5 kN and 39.0 kN. Also, other properties such as flow properties, true density, and tapped and bulk density were measured. The industrial batches of policosanol that were studied show an adequate purity and a uniform distribution of the particle sizes. Policosanol shows good flow properties, compressibility, and cohesion as well as a low solubility in the majority of the solvents used in the pharmaceutical industry, and its solubility in water or in aqueous solutions was, mainly, null. The wettability of policosanol in the different solvents shows the following order: methylene chloride > ethanol > acetone >> water.

Ability of a Au(III)-N unit to bond two aurophilically interacting gold(I) centers

The monohapto neutral 2-(diphenylphosphino)aniline (PNH(2)) complexes [Au(C(6)F(5))(2)X(PNH(2))] (X = C(6)F(5) (1), Cl (2)) have been obtained from [Au(C(6)F(5))(3)(tht)] or [Au(C(6)F(5))(2)(micro-Cl)](2) and PNH(2), and the cationic [Au(C(6)F(5))(2)(PNH(2))]ClO(4) (3) has been similarly prepared from [Au(C(6)F(5))(2)(OEt(2))(2)]ClO(4) and PNH(2) or from 2 and AgClO(4). The neutral amido complex [Au(C(6)F(5))(2)(PNH)] (4) can be obtained by deprotonation of 3 with PPN(acac) (acac = acetylacetonate) or by treatment of the chloro complex 2 with Tl(acac). It reacts with [Ag(OClO(3))(PPh(3))] or [Au(OClO(3))(PPh(3))] to give the dinuclear species [Au(C(6)F(5))(2)[PNH(MPPh(3))]]ClO(4) (M = Ag (5), Au (6)). The latter can also be obtained by reaction of equimolar amounts of 3 and [Au(acac)(PPh(3))]; when the molar ratio of the same reagents is 1:2, the trinuclear cationic complex [Au(C(6)F(5))(2)[PN(AuPPh(3))(2)]]ClO(4) (7) is obtained. The crystal structures of complexes 2-4 and 7 have been established by X-ray crystallography; the last-mentioned displays an unusual Au(I)-Au(III) interaction.

Synthesis of Luminescent Gold(I) and Gold(III) Complexes with a Triphosphine Ligand

We have synthesized and characterized a series of trinuclear gold(I) complexes [(AuX)(3)(mu-triphos)] (triphos = bis(2-diphenylphosphinoethyl)phenylphosphine; X = Cl 1, Br 2, I 3, C(6)F(5) 4) and di- and trinuclear gold(III) complexes [[Au(C(6)F(5))(3)](n)(mu-triphos)] (n = 2 (5), 3 (6)). The crystal structure of 6 [[Au(C(6)F(5))(3)](3)(mu-triphos)] has been determined by X-ray diffraction studies, which show the triphosphine in a conformation resulting in very long gold-gold distances, probably associated with the steric requirements of the tris(pentafluorophenyl)gold(III) units. Complex 6 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P(-1) with a = 12.7746(16) A, b = 18.560(2) A, c = 21.750(3) A, alpha = 98.215(3) degrees, beta = 101.666(3) degrees, gamma = 96.640(3) degrees, and Z = 2. Chloride substitutions in complex 1 afford trinuclear gold(I) complexes [(AuX)(3)(mu-triphos)] (X = Fmes (1,3,5-tris(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) 7, p-SC(6)H(4)Me 8, SCN 9) and [Au(3)Cl(3)(-)(n)()(S(2)CNR(2))(n)(mu-triphos)] (R = Me, n = 3 (10), 2 (12), 1 (14); R = CH(2)Ph, n = 3 (11), 2 (13), 1 (15)). The luminescence properties of these complexes in the solid state have been studied; at low temperature most of them are luminescent, including the gold(III) derivative 6, with the intensity and the emission maxima being clearly influenced by the nature and the number of the ligands bonded to the gold centers.

Heteropolynuclear phosphide complexes: phosphorus as unique atom bridging coinage metal centres

In this paper we describe the synthesis and reactivity of the diphenylphosphine derivatives [Au(C6F5)(PPh2H)] and trans-[Au(C6F5)2(PPh2H)2]ClO4. Reactions of the latter or the neutral [Au(C6F5)3(PPh2H)] with the appropriate Group 11 metal reagents (M = Au, Ag, Cu) in the presence of acetylacetonate afford a series of novel Au(III)-M phosphido-bridged complexes, which have been scarcely represented to date. The crystal structure of the tetranuclear [(Au(C6F5)2(mu-PPh2)2Ag)2] and the dinuclear [Au(C6F5)3(mu-PPh2)M(PPh3)] (M = Au,Ag) complexes were established by X-ray diffraction methods. The synthesis and deprotonating activity of the anionic gold(III) complex PPN[Au(C6F5)3(acac)] (PNN = [N(PPh3)2]+) was studied.

Experimental and theoretical studies of the d8-d10 interaction between Pd(II) and Au(I): bis(chloro[(phenylthiomethyl)diphenylphosphine]gold(I))- dichloropalladium(II) and related systems

The reaction between thioether phosphine gold(I) precursors such as [AuCl(Ph2PCH2SPh)], 1, or [Au(Ph2PCH2SPh)2]CF3SO3 and PdCl2(NCPh)2 affords the new compounds [(AuCl(Ph2PCH2SPh)2PdCl2], 2, and [AuPdCl2(Ph2PCH2SPh)2]CF3SO3, 3. The crystal structure of complex 2 has the sterically unhindered Pd(II) and Au(I) at a distance of 314 pm. Quasirelativistic pseudopotential calculations on [AuPdCl3(PH2CH2SH)(SH2)] models give short Au-Pd distances at the second-order Møller-Plesset (MP2) level and long Au-Pd distances at Hartree-Fock (HF) level. A detailed analysis of the Au-Pd interaction shows dominant dispersion, some ionic contributions, and no net charge transfer between the metals.

Synthesis, structure, luminescence, and theoretical studies of tetranuclear gold clusters with phosphinocarborane ligands

Treatment of the tetranuclear gold cluster [Au4((PPh2)2C2B9H10)2(AsPh3)2] (1), which contains the nido-carborane-diphosphine [7,8-(PPh2)2C2B9H10]-, with various tertiary phosphines leads to derivatives [Au4((PPh2)2C2B9H10)2-(PR3)2] (PR3 = PPh3 (2), P(4-MeC6H4)3 (3), P(4-OMeC6H4)3 (4)). The X-ray crystal structure of complex 4 shows a tetrahedral framework of gold atoms, two of which are chelated by the diphosphine, and two are coordinated to one monophosphine ligand each. These compounds are very stable and are obtained in high yield. MP2 calculations suggest that the two types of chemically nonequivalent gold atoms can be formally assigned as Au(I) (those attached to the arsines or phosphines) and Au(0) (those bonded to the anionic diphosphine) and emphasize the role of correlation in the gold-gold interactions. The compounds are luminescent. The emission is assigned to a gold-centered spin-forbidden transition; the assignment of the oxidation state of the gold centers on this basis leads to results coincident with those obtained by theoretical calculations.

Synthesis and structural characterization of luminescent trinuclear gold(I) complexes with dithiocarbamates

We have synthesized a series of trinuclear gold(I) complexes, namely, [Au3(mu-dpmp)(S2CNR2)nCl3-n] (n = 0-3; R = Me, CH2Ph), [Au3(mu-dpmp)(mu-S2CNR2)Cl](CF3SO3) (R = Me, CH2Ph), and [Au3(mu-dpmp)(mu-S2CNMe2)(C6F5)]X (X = Cl, CF3SO3), containing the triphosphine dpmp [bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)phenylphosphine] and varying amounts of dithiocarbamate. NMR experiments show fluxional behavior in solution for most of these derivatives because several arrangements of the ligands are possible. The crystal structure of [(mu-dpmp)(AuCl)3] has been determined by X-ray diffraction studies; the molecule displays mirror symmetry and involves an angular arrangement of the gold atoms [Au-Au-Au 119.603(14) degrees, Au-Au 3.3709(4) A]. We have studied the optical properties of these derivatives in the solid state, finding a red shift as a function of the dithiocarbamate number and, for some derivatives, wavelength-dependent emission spectra at low temperature.

Gold and silver complexes with the ferrocenyl phosphine FcCH2PPh2

Linear gold(I) and silver(I) complexes with the ferrocenyl phosphine FcCH2PPh2 [Fc = (eta5-C5H5)Fe(eta5-C5H4)] of the types [AuR(PPh2CH2Fc)], [M(PPh3)(PPh2CH2Fc)]OTf, and [M(PPh2CH2Fc)2]OTf (M = Au, Ag) have been obtained. Three-coordinate gold(I) and silver(I) derivatives of the types [AuCl(PPh2CH2Fc)2] and [M(PPh2CH2Fc)3]X (M = Au, X = ClO4; M = Ag, X = OTf) have been obtained from the corresponding gold and silver precursors in the appropriate molar ratio, although some of them are involved in equilibria in solution. The crystal structures of [AuR(PPh2CH2Fc)] (R = Cl, C6F5), [AuL(PPh2CH2Fc)]OTf (L = PPh3, FcCH2PPh2), [Au(C6F5)3(PPh2CH2Fc)], and [Ag(PPh2CH2Fc)3]OTf have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.

Heteropolynuclear complexes with the ligand Ph2PCH2SPh: theoretical evidence for metallophilic Au-M attractions

Addition of two equivalents of diphenylthiomethylphosphine (PPh2-CH2SPh) to the starting materials [Au(tht)2]A (tht = tetrahydrothiophene), AgCF3SO3, or [Cu(CH3CN)4]CF3SO3 produces the mononuclear derivatives [M(PPh2CH2SPh)2]A (M = Au, A = CF3SO3 (1a); M = Au, A = ClO4 (1b); M = Ag, A = CF3SO3 (4); M = Cu, A = CF3SO3 (5)) which are able to form the heterodinuclear complexes [AuM'(PPh2CH2SPh)2](CF3SO3)2 (M' = Ag (2), Cu (3)) with a P-Au-P environment. If the starting gold complex is [Au(C6F5)(tht)], reaction with the phosphine produces [Au(C6F5)-(PPh2CH2SPh)] (6) from which, by reaction with AgCF3SO3 or [Cu(CH3CN)4]CF3SO3, the "snake"-type linear complexes [Au2M(C6F5)2-(PPh2CH2SPh)2]CF3SO3 (M = Ag (7), Cu (8)) are obtained. If the silver starting complex is AgCF3CO2, reaction in a 1:1 ratio gives the tetranuclear complex [Au2Ag2(C6F5)2(PPh2CH2SPh)2-(CF3CO2)2] (9). When the molar ratio is 1:2 the trinuclear complex [AuAg2(C6F5) (CF3CO2)2(PPh2CH2SPh)] (10) is obtained. According to ab initio calculations, the presence of only one gold atom is enough to induce metallophilic attractions in the group congeners, and this effect can be modulated depending on the gold ligand.

Effects of policosanol chronically administered in male monkeys (Macaca arctoides)

Policosanol, administered orally, has shown a cholesterol-lowering effect in different experimental models. Because lipid-lowering therapy is administered chronically, it is necessary to know the effects of these drugs after long-term administration. 18 adult male Macaca arctoides monkeys were used to study the cholesterol-lowering effects and possible toxicity produced by oral administration of policosanol (0.25, 2.5 and 25 mg/kg) for 54 wk. After 8 wk, a significant reduction of serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was observed in policosanol-treated animals when compared with the controls; this effect persisted throughout the study. The animals' behavioural repertoire, physical condition, haematology and blood biochemistry, as well as spermiogram analysis and electrocardiography, were monitored during the study; ophthalmological and pathological anatomy examinations were performed at the end of the administration period. No drug-related toxicity was detected by any examination. The results gave further evidence of the marked and persistent cholesterol-lowering effects of policosanol that had been observed in different experimental models. There was a significant reduction of spontaneous aortic atherosclerotic lesions in treated animals compared with controls. Policosanol (0.25-25 mg/kg) administered orally for 54 wk brought about a persistent reduction in blood cholesterol levels and was very safe and well tolerated during long-term administration.