Solar light mediated anthracene abatement in aerated aqueous media using a thermoplastic nanocomposite photocatalyst.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are the most widespread xenobiotic pollutants in water and their abatement usually involves expensive and energy-consuming treatments. In this work, anthracene (AN) was selected as the recalcitrant model of PAHs and its solar light-stimulated heterogeneous photocatalytic abatement in aerated aqueous media was investigated using a new TiO2 derived thermoplastic nanocomposite in thin film form. The results were also compared with the benchmark TiO2 photocatalyst in slurry form. Finally, the possible contribution of reactive intermediates such as hydroxyl radical, AN radical cation and singlet oxygen, was investigated by using a hydroxyl radical trap and laser flash photolysis. Based on the obtained results, a feasible mechanism for AN photodegradation, which involves hydroxyl radical as the key oxidizing species is proposed.

KLVFF oligopeptide-decorated amphiphilic cyclodextrin nanomagnets for selective amyloid beta recognition and fishing.

Recognition and capture of amyloid beta (Aß) is a challenging task for the early diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. Here, we report a novel KLVFF-modified nanomagnet based on magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) covered with a non-ionic amphiphilic ß-cyclodextrin (SC16OH) and decorated with KLVFF oligopeptide for the self-recognition of the homologous amino-acids sequence of Aß to collect Aß (1-42) peptide from aqueous samples. MNP@SC16OH and MNP@SC16OH/Ada-Pep nanoassemblies were fully characterized by complementary techniques both as solid powders and in aqueous dispersions. Single domain MNP@SC16OH/Ada-Pep nanomagnets of 20-40 nm were observed by TEM analysis. DLS and ζ-potential measurements revealed that MNP@SC16OH nanoassemblies owned in aqueous dispersion a hydrodynamic radius of about 150 nm, which was unaffected by Ada-Pep decoration, while the negative ζ-potential of MNP@SC16OH (-40 mV) became less negative (-30 mV) in MNP@SC16OH/Ada-Pep, confirming the exposition of positively charged KLVFF on nanomagnets surface. The ability of MNP@SC16OH/Ada-Pep to recruit Aß (1-42) in aqueous solution was evaluated by MALDI-TOF and compared with the ineffectiveness of undecorated MNP@SC16OH and VFLKF scrambled peptide-decorated nanoassemblies (MNP@SC16OH/Ada-scPep), pointing out the selectivity of KLVFF-decorated nanohybrid towards Aß (1-42). Finally, the property of nanomagnets to extract Aß in conditioned medium of cells over-producing Aß peptides was investigated as proof of concept of effectiveness of these nanomaterials as potential diagnostic tools.

Nanosponges based on self-assembled starfish-shaped cucurbit[6]urils functionalized with imidazolium arms.

A new porous material based on the first supramolecular cucurbituril-based nanosponge was synthesized by the functionalization of cucurbit[6]uril with twelve 1-(2-bromoethyl)-3-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium arms. The porous structure and the high adsorption capacity were demonstrated through surface area measurements and carbon dioxide adsorption. The new supramolecular sponge showed attractive properties such as (i) a highly porous structure that allowed CO2 capture, (ii) the possibility to reuse the adsorbed CO2 for organic synthesis, and (iii) an exciting thermal stability up to around 800 °C, with the potential use of this material in high temperature reactions. Finally, the reuse of CO2 was successfully investigated in the carboxylation reaction of phenylacetylene.

TiO2-Based Nanocomposites Thin Film Having Boosted Photocatalytic Activity for Xenobiotics Water Pollution Remediation.

Photocatalytic remediation represents a potential sustainable solution to the abatement of xenobiotic pollutants released within the water environment. Aeroxide® P25 titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are well-known as one of the most efficient photocatalysts in several applications, and have also been investigated in water remediation as suspended powder. Recently, their application in the form of thin films has been revealed as a potential alternative to avoid time-consuming filtration processes. Polymers represent suitable substrates to immobilize TiO2 NPs, allowing further production of thin films that can be exploited as a photoactive coating for environmental remediation. Nevertheless, the methods adopted to immobilize TiO2 NPs on polymer matrix involve time-consuming procedures and the use of several reactants. Here, titanium dioxide-based nanocomposites (NCx) were obtained through a new approach based on Methyl Methacrylate in situ bulk polymerization and were compared with a blended mixture (BL). Their morphology and chemical-physical properties were investigated through Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), UV-Vis, and Raman spectroscopies. It was revealed that the in situ approach deeply influences the chemical-physical interactions between the polymer matrix and TiO2 NPs. Photocatalytic experiments revealed the boosted photodegradation activity of NCx thin films, induced by the in situ approach. The photodegradation of paraquat and acetaminophen was also ascertained.

Design of naturally inspired jellyfish-shaped cyclopolylactides to manage osteosarcoma cancer stem cells fate.

We report the synthesis, characterization and biological profile of new bis-triazoled cyclopolylactides (c-PLA, c-PLA-FA, c-PLA-Rhod) obtained by an optimized combination of ROP and click chemistry reactions. Cyclo-PLA having a number average molecular weight of 6000 g mol-1 and a polydispersity index of 1.52 was synthetized by click ring-closure of well-defined α,ω-heterodifunctional linear precursors, followed by quaternarization of N3-triazole nodes, and subsequent CuAAC with azido-folate and azido-rhodamine yielding jellyfish-shaped c-PLA-FA and c-PLA-Rhod. Salinomycin (Sal) was loaded into jellyfish-shaped c-PLA-FA and c-PLA-Rhod nanoparticles (NPs) by nanoprecipitation, with a good encapsulation efficiency (79% and 84%, respectively) and loading content (7.1% and 7.6%, respectively). The biological studies focused on their antiproliferative effects on osteosarcoma bulk MG63 and cancer stem cells (CSCs). The cycloPLA-based NPs, with a size ranging between 125 and 385 nm, killed CSCs and MG63, with a higher efficacy on CSCs; they (unloaded or Sal-loaded) evoked on CSCs a cellular response similar to the payload, with a higher effect than the free Sal. Internalization studies indicated a fast cellular uptake (within 2 h) and sarcospheres remained fluorescent till 72 h. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting anti-CSCs properties of cycloPLA with jellyfish architecture and we believe could contribute to the development of effective strategies for osteosarcoma targeting.

Salinomycin-loaded PLA nanoparticles: drug quantification by GPC and wave voltammetry and biological studies on osteosarcoma cancer stem cells.

A new straightforward gel permeation chromatography (GPC) method was developed to calculate the drug encapsulation efficiency and loading content of Poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles (PLA NPs) loaded with Salinomycin (Sal), exploiting the capability of this technique to separate a macromolecular/molecular mixture on the basis of the molecular weight of each component. The proposed GPC method allowed Sal detection until 1% of Sal content in PLA NPs, avoiding sample pre-treatments. The method was validated by wave voltammetry (SW) technique, using a slightly modified literature procedure, useful to detect Sal in the concentration range 0.4 ≤ C/µmol/L ≤ 12 (linear concentration range). PLA-based NPs were prepared by nanoprecipitation with either native and functionalized PLA. Specifically, folate-decorated PLA NPs (PLA-FA NPs) were obtained by CuAAC click functionalization of alkyne-grafted PLA with azide-folate. Sal-loaded NPs were characterized physicochemically and morphologically. They exhibited adequate physicochemical properties, good drug encapsulation efficiency (98 ± 0.5% and 99 ± 0.5%), and loading content (8.8 ± 0.1% and 8.9 ± 0.1% for PLA/Sal and PLA-FA/Sal NPs, respectively). The size of empty PLA NPs resulted smaller (90 ± 3.2 nm and 680 ± 15.3 nm, for PLA NPs and PLA-FA NPs respectively) than the correspondent drug-loaded NPs (110 ± 3.8 nm and 875 ± 20.5 nm, respectively). Their biological activity was assessed on osteosarcoma bulk cells MG63, healthy osteoblast cell line (hFOB1.19), and enriched osteosarcoma cancer stem cells (CSCs), showing cell-depending effect. Entrapped Sal maintained its cytotoxic effect on CSCs and MG63 cells, with a potency comparable to the free drug and no evident benefit was detected for folate-decorated PLA NPs respect to native PLA NPs. Graphical abstract.

Cucurbit[7]uril as a catalytic nanoreactor for one-pot synthesis of isoxazolidines in water.

The main objective of supramolecular chemistry is to mimic the macrosystems present in nature, a goal that fits perfectly with the green chemistry guidelines. The aim of our work is to use the hydrophobic cavity of cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) to mimic nature for performing different dehydration and cycloaddition reactions in water. The hydrophobic cavity of CB[7] made it possible to synthesize nitrones and isoxazolidines in a one-pot fashion using water as a reaction solvent. Substituted isoxazolidines were obtained from the cycloaddition of nitrones with various styrenes and cinnamates, under microwave irradiation, with a catalytic amount of CB[7], and a moderate increase in the formation of the trans adduct was observed, compared to the reaction being carried out in toluene. The mechanism of the reaction and the inclusion of reagents and products in the CB[7] cavity have been studied and rationalized by NMR spectroscopy, ESI-MS experiments, and molecular modeling calculations.

Casting Light on Intracellular Tracking of a New Functional Graphene-Based MicroRNA Delivery System by FLIM and Raman Imaging.

The theranostic ability of a new fluorescently labeled cationic cyclodextrin-graphene nanoplatform (GCD@Ada-Rhod) was investigated by studying its intracellular trafficking and its ability to deliver plasmid DNA and microRNA. The nanoplatform was synthesized by both covalent and supramolecular approaches, and its chemical structure, morphology, and colloidal behavior were investigated by TGA, TEM, spectroscopic analysis such as UV-vis, fluorescence emission, DLS, and ζ-potential measurements. The cellular internalization of GCD@Ada-Rhod and its perinuclear localization were assessed by FLIM, Raman imaging, and fluorescence microscopy. Biological experiments with pCMS-EGFP and miRNA-15a evidenced the excellent capability of GCD@Ada-Rhod to deliver both pDNA and microRNA without significant cytotoxicity. The biological results evidenced an unforeseen caveolae-mediated endocytosis internalization pathway (generally expected for particles <200 nm), despite the fact that the GCD@Ada-Rhod size is about 400 nm (by DLS and TEM data). We supposed that the internalization pathway was driven by physical-chemical features of GCD@Ada-Rhod, and the caveolae-mediated uptake enhanced the transfection efficiency, avoiding the lysosomal acid degradation. The cellular effects of internalized miRNA-15a on the oncogene protein BCL-2 were investigated at two different concentrations (N/P = 10 and 5), and a reduction of the BCL-2 level was detected at a low concentration (i.e., N/P = 10). miRNA-15a is considered an ideal cancer therapy molecule due to its activity on multiple transcription factors, and the elucidation of the correlation between the concentration of delivered miRNA-15a and the down-/up-regulation of the BCL-2 level, documented for the first time in this work, could be an important contribution to guide its clinical application.

Supramolecular Detection of a Nerve Agent Simulant by Fluorescent Zn-Salen Oligomer Receptors.

We report on new Zn-Salen oligomer receptors able to recognize a nerve agent simulant, namely dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), by a supramolecular approach. In particular, three Zn-Salen oligomers (Zn-Oligo-A, -B, and -C), differing by the length distribution, were obtained and characterized by NMR, Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), UV-Vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Furthermore, we investigated their recognition properties towards DMMP by using fluorescence measurements. We found that the recognition ability depends on the length of the oligomeric chain, and the Zn-Oligo-C shows a binding constant value higher than those already reported in literature for the DMMP detection.

Surgery and out-patient data collection and reporting using Filemaker Pro.

OBJECTIVE: The application of an electronic database in clinical practice is used widespread in every field of medicine. The aim of the present study is to illustrate our experience to use a database software for documentation of two of our clinical activities, outpatient hysteroscopy and inpatient gynaecological surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 2004, we designed two databases, the first one to document surgical procedures in the operating theatre, the second to document outpatient hysteroscopy procedures using FileMaker v.8.5. The data entry interface contains free text fields for patient demographic data and the description of the surgical procedure, supplemented by drop-down lists for items such as clinical findings, procedures, instrumentation, technique, and complications. Copies were filed in the main hospital notes, sent to General Practitioners, and also given to our patients. RESULTS: Since August 2004, we have used our two databases to document 2766 gynaecological operations and 3777 outpatient hysteroscopies. All users particularly liked the dropdown lists as their use greatly reduced the time taken to enter each patient's data. The databases were regularly used to select patients for audit projects and research data collection for prospective studies. CONCLUSIONS: FileMaker is an user-friendly and easily configured software, extremely valuable in everyday clinical work.

Influence of cryopreservation on perinatal outcome after blastocyst- vs cleavage-stage embryo transfer: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the perinatal outcomes of singleton pregnancies resulting from blastocyst- vs cleavage-stage embryo transfer and to assess whether they differ between fresh and frozen embryo transfer cycles. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was carried out using the Scopus, MEDLINE and ISI Web of Science databases with no time restriction. We included only peer-reviewed articles involving humans, in which perinatal outcomes of singleton pregnancies after blastocyst-stage embryo transfer were compared with those after cleavage-stage embryo transfer. Primary outcomes were preterm birth before 37 weeks and low birth weight (< 2500 g). Secondary outcomes were very preterm birth before 32 weeks, very low birth weight (< 1500 g), small-for-gestational-age (SGA), large-for-gestational-age (LGA), perinatal mortality and congenital anomaly. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. Three subgroups were evaluated: fresh only, frozen only and fresh plus frozen embryo transfer cycles. RESULTS: From a total of 3928 articles identified, 14 were selected for qualitative/quantitative analysis. Significantly higher incidences of preterm birth < 37 weeks (11 studies, n = 106 629 participants; risk ratio (RR), 1.15 (95% CI, 1.05 - 1.25); P = 0.002) and very preterm birth < 32 weeks (seven studies, n = 103 742; RR, 1.16 (95% CI, 1.02-1.31); P = 0.03) were observed after blastocyst- than after cleavage-stage embryo transfer in fresh cycles. However, the risk of preterm and very preterm birth was similar after blastocyst- and cleavage-stage transfers in frozen and fresh plus frozen cycles. Overall effect size analysis revealed fewer SGA deliveries after blastocyst- compared with cleavage-stage transfer in fresh cycles but a similar number in frozen cycles. Conversely, more LGA deliveries were observed after blastocyst- compared with cleavage-stage transfer in frozen cycles (two studies, n = 39 044; RR, 1.18 (95% CI, 1.09-1.27); P < 0.0001) and no differences between the two groups in fresh cycles (four studies, n = 42 982; RR, 1.14 (95% CI, 0.97-1.35); P = 0.11). There were no differences with respect to low birth weight, very low birth weight or congenital anomalies between blastocyst- and cleavage-stage transfers irrespective of the cryopreservation method employed. Only one study reported a higher incidence of perinatal mortality after blastocyst- vs cleavage-stage embryo transfer in frozen cycles, while no differences were found in fresh cycles. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that cryopreservation of embryos can influence outcome of pregnancy conceived following blastocyst- vs cleavage-stage embryo transfer in terms of preterm birth, very preterm birth, LGA, SGA and perinatal mortality. Caution should be exercised in interpreting these findings given the low level of evidence and wide heterogeneity of the studies. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

DNA intercalators based on (1,10-phenanthrolin-2-yl)isoxazolidin-5-yl core with better growth inhibition and selectivity than cisplatin upon head and neck squamous cells carcinoma.

((3RS,5SR)- and ((3RS,5RS)-2-(2-methoxybenzyl)-3-(1,10-phenanthrolin-2-yl)isoxazolidin-5-yl)methanol have been synthesized, according to 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition methodology, as DNA intercalating agents and evaluated for their anticancer activity against human cervical carcinoma HeLa and head and neck squamous cells carcinoma cell lines. The synthesized compounds exhibited good cytotoxic activity with IC50 better than cisplatin, used as the main and effective treatment for HNSCC, and a 24.3-72.0-fold selectivity respect to the 184B5 non-cancerous immortalized breast epithelial cell lines. Unwinding assay, circular dichroism data, and Uv-vis melting experiments confirmed that these compounds act as DNA intercalators with a binding constant in the order of 104 M-1. Docking studies showed that both compounds can interact as intercalating agent with both poly-d(AT)2 and poly-d(GC)2, preferring an entrance by the minor groove of the poly-d(AT)2.

"Click" on PLGA-PEG and hyaluronic acid: Gaining access to anti-leishmanial pentamidine bioconjugates.

Pentamidine (Pent), an antiparasitic drug used for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis, has been modified with terminal azide groups and conjugated to two different polymer backbones (PLGA-PEG [PP] copolymer and hyaluronic acid [HA]) armed with alkyne end-groups. The conjugation has been performed by Copper Catalyzed Azido Alkyne Cycloaddition (CuAAC) using CuSO4 /sodium ascorbate as metal source. The novel PP-Pent and HA-Pent bioconjugates are proposed, respectively, as non-targeted and targeted drug delivery systems against Leishmania infections. Moreover, Pent has been encapsulated into PP nanoparticles by the oil-in-water emulsion method, with the aim to compare the biological activity of the bioconjugates with that of the classical drug-loaded delivery system that physically entraps the therapeutic agent. Biological assays against Leishmania infantum amastigote-infected macrophages and primary macrophages revealed that Pent, either covalently conjugated with polymers or loaded into polymeric nanoparticles, turned out to be more potent and less toxic than the free Pent. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2778-2785, 2018.

High progesterone levels during the luteal phase related to the use of an aromatase inhibitor in breast cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hormonal profile in three breast cancer patients who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation in the presence of the aromatase inhibitor letrozole. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In IVF University referral center, a case series of three breast cancer patients who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) with recombinant FSH and letrozole were investigated. Ovulation was induced with hCG (case No. 1) or with GnRH agonist (case No. 2-3). The primary outcome of our study was the detection of progesterone levels in the luteal phase. RESULTS: Very high progesterone values (mean 186.6 ± 43.6 ng/mL) during the luteal phase were recorded in all three cases. CONCLUSIONS: High progesterone levels can be related to the use of letrozole independently of the most commonly used trigger regimen. Although progesterone has long been considered a protective factor against breast cancer, several studies have demonstrated that progesterone could expand a transformation-sensitive stem cell population in the mammary glands. The estrogen negative feedback effect on the hypothalamus-pituitary axis and the disruption of steroid biosynthesis and could represent an intriguing reason behind this phenomenon. Our results highlight the need to evaluate further the increase in progesterone levels in the luteal phase in women with breast cancer undergoing COS with letrozole.

The efficacy of modified luteal phase support with intramuscular progesterone in IVF/ICSI cycles: a retrospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: The use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist for ovulation triggering has become an intriguing topic in the last few years. As long as adequate luteal phase support is provided, it may be a valuable alternative to standard hCG triggering, associated with a significant reduction in OHSS incidence. Several luteal phase support options have been proposed, but few studies have addressed the issue of the appropriate route for progesterone administration to women triggered with GnRHa. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of GnRHa triggering on IVF/ICSI outcomes, using modified luteal phase support with intramuscular progesterone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out between January 2014 and December 2015, comparing the reproductive outcome in GnRHa triggered women given modified luteal phase support with intramuscular progesterone (Group A) with the outcome in women triggered with standard hCG (Group B) in IVF/ICSI cycles. RESULTS: 200 (Group A n = 100; Group B n = 100) consecutive normoresponder women were included. No differences with respect to Age, BMI, basal FSH, basal Estradiol and infertility diagnosis were observed between groups. Increased numbers of retrieved oocytes (8.1 ± 3.3 versus 6.8 ± 3.5, p = 0.009) and mature oocytes (5.8 ± 2.6 versus 5.1 ± 2.7, p = 0.03) were detected in Group A compared with Group B. Implantation, biochemical pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy rates were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirmed that the GnRHa triggering strategy is associated with increased number of oocytes retrieved and of mature oocytes even in normoresponder women. Moreover, in these patients, the use of intramuscular progesterone during luteal phase support achieved satisfactory IVF outcomes.

Repurposing of oxazolone chemistry: gaining access to functionalized graphene nanosheets in a top-down approach from graphite.

Solvent-free 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (1,3-DC) reactions between graphite flakes and mesoionic oxazolones were carried out by heating the resulting solid mixture at mild temperatures (70-120 °C). The direct functionalization and delamination of graphite flakes into few layers of graphene nanosheets was confirmed by micro-Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, scanning transmission electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The 1,3-DC reactions of mesoionic dipoles have been investigated with density functional theory to model graphene, exploring three different pathways: center, corner and edge. These theoretical calculations highlighted that the 1,3-DC reaction can proceed both through a concerted mechanism competing with a stepwise one involving a zwitterionic intermediate. The irreversible decarboxylation inherent in the last step justifies the high degree of functionalization experimentally observed, representing the driving force of the process.

Human recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) compared to urinary human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) for ovarian stimulation in assisted reproduction: a literature review and cost evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Gonadotropins are protein hormones which are central to the complex endocrine system that regulates normal growth, sexual development, and reproductive function. There is still a lively debate on which type of gonadotropin medication should be used, either human menopausal gonadotropin or recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone. The objective of the study was to perform a systematic review of the recent literature to compare recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone to human menopausal gonadotropin with the aim to assess any differences in terms of efficacy and to provide a cost evaluation based on findings of this systematic review. METHODS: The review was conducted selecting prospective, randomized, controlled trials comparing the two gonadotropin medications from a literature search of several databases. The outcome measure used to evaluate efficacy was the number of oocytes retrieved per cycle. In addition, a cost evaluation was performed based on retrieved efficacy data. RESULTS: The number of oocytes retrieved appeared to be higher for human menopausal gonadotropin in only 2 studies while 10 out of 13 studies showed a higher mean number of oocytes retrieved per cycle for recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone. The results of the cost evaluation provided a similar cost per oocyte for both hormones. CONCLUSIONS: Recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone treatment resulted in a higher oocytes yield per cycle than human menopausal gonadotropin at similar cost per oocyte.

Rate, predictors, and consequences of late antenatal booking in a national cohort study of pregnant women with HIV in Italy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and consequences of late antenatal booking (13 or more weeks gestation) in a national observational study of pregnant women with HIV. METHODS: The clinical and demographic characteristics associated with late booking were evaluated in univariate analyses using the Mann-Whitney U test for quantitative data and the chi-square test for categorical data. The associations that were found were re-evaluated in multivariable logistic regression models. Main outcomes were preterm delivery, low birthweight, nonelective cesarean section, birth defects, undetectable (<50 copies/mL) HIV plasma viral load at third trimester, delivery complications, and gender-adjusted and gestational age-adjusted Z scores for birthweight. RESULTS: Rate of late booking among 1,643 pregnancies was 32.9%. This condition was associated with younger age, African provenance, diagnosis of HIV during pregnancy, and less antiretroviral exposure. Undetectable HIV RNA at third trimester and preterm delivery were significantly more prevalent with earlier booking (67.1% vs 46.3%, P < .001, and 23.2% vs 17.6, P = .010, respectively), whereas complications of delivery were more common with late booking (8.2% vs 5.0%, P = .013). Multivariable analyses confirmed an independent role of late booking in predicting detectable HIV RNA at third trimester (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.7; 95% CI, 1.3-2.3; P < .001) and delivery complications (AOR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2-2.8; P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: Late antenatal booking was associated with detectable HIV RNA in late pregnancy and with complications of delivery. Measures should be taken to ensure an earlier entry into antenatal care, particularly for African women, and to facilitate access to counselling and antenatal services. These measures can significantly improve pregnancy management and reduce morbidity and complications in pregnant women with HIV.

Production of filmable medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates produced from glycerol by Pseudomonas mediterranea.

Glycerol is an effective carbon source for the production of scl- and mcl-polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) by Pseudomonas spp. P. mediterranea 9.1 (CFBP 5447) synthesizes an amorphous mcl-PHA when grown on crude glycerol, whereas on both reagent grade (RG) and partially refined (PR) glycerol, it produces two very similar distinctive mcl-PHAs with the unusual property of producing, with the appropriate treatment, a transparent film. Mcl-PHAs recovered after biomass extraction have an average molecular weight of approximately 56,000/63,000 Da. The monomer composition and physicochemical properties of such mcl-PHAs suggest their potential application as a softener of biopolymeric blends for food packaging and medical devices.

A prospective, randomised, investigator-blind, controlled, clinical study on the clinical efficacy and tolerability of two highly purified hMG preparations administered subcutaneously in women undergoing IVF.

The aim of this multicentre, prospective, randomised, investigator blind, controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of a highly purified human menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG) preparation (Merional-HG) when administered to patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) for in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedure enrolled in hospital departments. One hundred fifty-seven patients were randomised in two parallel groups: 78 started COS with Merional-HG and 79 with Menopur. Results of the study showed that both highly purified hMG preparations were equivalent in terms of number of oocytes retrieved (primary endpoint: 8.8 ± 3.9 versus 8.4 ± 3.8, p = 0.54). In the patients treated with Merional-HG, we observed a higher occurrence of mature oocytes (78.3% versus 71.4%, p = 0.005) and a reduced quantity of gonadotrophins administered per cycle (2.556 ± 636 IU versus 2.969 ± 855 IU, p < 0.001). Fertilisation, cleavage, implantation rates and the number of positive ß-human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG; pregnancy) tests and the clinical pregnancy rate were comparable in the two groups. Both treatments were well tolerated. In conclusion, the results of this study support the efficacy and safety of Merional-HG administered subcutaneously for assisted reproduction techniques. Efficiency of Merional-HG appears to be higher due to reduced quantity of drug used and the higher yield of mature oocytes retrieved.