De novo everolimus-based therapy in renal transplant recipients: effect on proteinuria and renal prognosis.

BACKGROUND: In large-scale clinical trials, the proliferation signal inhibitor (PSI) everolimus (EVL) combined with cyclosporine (CsA) and steroids, has been shown to be efficacious among de novo renal transplant recipients. Development of proteinuria has been shown to be an important predictor of renal dysfunction after conversion from CsA to a PSI-based regimen, and a key marker of allograft disease progression. Whether EVL de novo treatment is associated with a similar proteinuric effect is still under investigation. METHODS: We compared the development of proteinuria among a cohort of 24 renal transplant recipients who were prescribed EVL (3 mg/d; n = 12; high-dose group) or 1.5 mg/d (n = 12; standard-dose group), in association with CsA, versus third control cohort of 12 patients who received mycophenolate mofetil (control group). EVL doses were adjusted to achieve trough blood levels of 3-8 ng/mL and 8-12 ng/mL among the standard and high-dose groups, respectively. We assessed renal function and protein excretion over a 2-year observation. RESULTS: The high-dose group showed a trend toward greater proteinuria than the standard-dose on control groups. They showed significantly greater proteinuria from 9 months until 2 years; 0.86 +/- 0.5, 0.5 +/- 0.3, 0.47 +/- 0.2 g/24 h (P = .03 and P = .02, respectively, at 24 months). Mean proteinuria significantly correlated with mean EVL doses (n = .73; P = .0001). Concomitantly, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was significantly lower among patients treated with EVL 3.0 versus 1.5 mg/d (53.7 +/- 24 vs 73.04 +/- 17.6 mL/min; P = .037). Among patients in the standard-dose, the eGFR was consistently higher than the control group (62.6 +/- 29 mL/min). CONCLUSION: EVL/CsA therapy is a safe alternative regimen for de novo renal transplant recipients. Higher EVL doses are correlated with greater increases in proteinuria. The standard EVL dose seems to be useful treatment strategy to prevent acute rejection episodes, with a better renal prognosis in the long term.

Wearable monitoring system for chronic cardio-respiratory diseases.

In this paper is presented the study leading to the implementation of an innovative sensing textile platform, based on a wearable monitoring system named Wealthy, where novel piezoresistive sensors have been integrated to increase system capability in the field of pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases monitoring. Two different typologies of textile sensors for plethysmograpic measurements have been characterized and compared to evaluate sensors performance, through electro-dynamic laboratory tests and in vivo measurements. The whole system allows continuous remote monitoring of electrocardiogram and impedance pneumography signals through textile electrodes, while piezoresistive fabric sensors placed at the abdominal and thoracic level are able to discriminate between different breathing patterns. All the signals have been acquired simultaneously allowing a comparative control of cardiopulmonary activity and artifact rejection, while a comparative study with standard BIOPAC MP30 respiratory transducers has been performed in basal condition.

Chemistry, biological properties and SAR analysis of quinoxalinones.

Quinoxaline derivatives have received much attention in recent years owing to their both biological properties and pharmaceutical applications. In this review we focus the attention on quinoxalin-2(3)-ones and quinoxalin-2,3-diones. These derivatives are particularly interesting since some of them showed antimicrobial (against several bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc), or anticancer activities. Furthermore, others are reported to be potent no-NMDA glutamate receptor antagonists, endowed with anxiolytic, deconditioning, analgesic, antispastic, antiallergic, antithrombotic activities. In this article we also report SAR studies and the most important methods of synthesis of the quinoxalin-2(3)-(di)ones.

Textile sensing interfaces for cardiopulmonary signs monitoring.

A wearable system able to monitor cardiopulmonary vital signs is presented. The innovative technological core of the system is based on the use of a textile conformable sensing cloth, where conducting and piezoresistive materials are integrated in form of fibres and yarns, giving rise to fabric sensors, electrodes and connections. Electrocardiogram and impedance pneumography signals are acquired through the same textile electrodes, while to discriminate between abdominal and thoracic activity, two piezoresistive fabric sensors are placed below the lower end of the sternum and at the level of the navel for recording the thorax and the abdominal pattern of breathing. The use of impedance pneumography methodology reduces the artefacts due to the movement, phonation and rib cage expansions disjointed from respiratory mechanics. All the signals are acquired simultaneously allowing a comparative control of the cardiopulmonary activity and artefacts rejection.

Knitted bioclothes for health monitoring.

An innovative system named WEALTHY is presented, where conducting and piezoresistive yarns are integrated in a knitted garment and used as sensor and electrode elements. The system allows the simultaneous recording of vital signs as well as parameters' extrapolation and inter-signal elaboration that contribute to produce alert messages and synoptic patient table. The system aims to assist cardiac patients during rehabilitation phase, patients can be continuously followed during selected time intervals, such as during physical activity or occurrence of symptoms, to discover potential threats, to tailor the best medical treatment for long term care, and to generate appropriate alerts to patient, physician or emergency medical systems. The system can also assist professional workers subject to considerable physical and psychological stress and/or environmental and professional health risks. Finally, by providing direct feedback to the users, WEALTHY can act on the level of awareness and allow better control of their own condition.

Synthesis and anti-HIV-1 activity of new delavirdine analogues carrying arylpyrrole moieties.

In our search for novel anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 agents, 14 delavirdine analogues were synthesized and evaluated as potential anti-HIV-1 agents in cell-based assays. Compound 1Aa exhibited potent and selective anti-HIV-1 activity in acutely infected MT4 cells, with effective concentration (EC50) values in the submicromolar range.

Synthesis and analgesic-antiinflammatory activities of novel acylarylhydrazones with a 5-phenyl-4-R-3-pyrrolyl-acyl moiety.

A new series of arylidene 5-phenyl-4-R-pyrrole-3-carbohydrazides 1a-j were prepared and evaluated for their analgesic-antiinflammatory activities. All synthesized compounds showed a significant analgesic action in mice after intraperitoneal administration at a dose of 100 microM/kg. Two of these, 1b, (4'-methylbenzylidene)-5-phenyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carbohydrazide, and 1d, (4'-chlorobenzylidene)-5-phenyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carbohydrazide, were found to be more potent as antinociceptive agents respect to dipyrone and indometacin, used as reference drugs. Among compounds 1, only 1b showed a moderate antiinflammatory effect in rats while 1d proved to be a potent non antiinflammatory analgesic.

Plaque removal with variable instrumentation.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate dental plaque removal in a normal healthy mouth, during routine oral hygiene appointments using different techniques and without the use of any disclosing agents. 12 dental hygienists, randomly selected from a continuing education course, were asked to perform oral hygiene on the same patient to remove all the supra-gingival plaque without any time restriction and without the use of a disclosing agents. The plaque index score (O'Leary) was assessed before and after each session with the use of fluorescine and UV light source by an independent examiner. 3 groups of instruments were utilized: group A: ultrasonic scalers + prophy cups; group B: ultrasonic scalers + prophy cups + dental floss; group C: Gracey curettes + prophy cups. While no group was able to remove all the plaque, groups B and C performed significantly better.