Bio-propylene glycol as value-added product from Epicerol® process

The production of chemicals from bio-based feedstocks is an emerging field of research in both industrial and academic communities. Here we present the synthesis of propylene glycol through catalytic hydrogenolysis of glycidol, obtained using a side-stream from the bio-based epichlorohydrin production plant, over Pd/C catalyst. In particular, we show the prominent effect of the acidic resin Amberlyst-15 in the selective and quantitative conversion of glycidol that permits to reach a TOF value of 162 h^?1. Propylene glycol is obtained with high yields and selectivity (> 99%) in only 1 h under mild reaction conditions. The effect of solvent is also investigated giving interesting results on the reaction selectivity. The catalytic system (Pd/C + Amberlyst-15) shows a good recyclability also after seven reaction cycles reaching high performances in term of conversion and selectivity. This allowed minimizing the amount of waste and enhancing the efficiency of the whole system.     

Effects of tramadol on viscero‐visceral hyperalgesia in a rat model of endometriosis plus ureteral calculosis

The effects of tramadol versus placebo administration on behavioral indicators of ureteral pain, pelvic pain and referred lumbar muscle hyperalgesia were investigated in a rat model of viscero‐visceral hyperalgesia from endometriosis plus ureteral calculosis (endo + stone). Fifty female Sprague‐Dawley rats underwent surgical induction of endometriosis and, 2 weeks later, were randomly assigned to five groups (10 each), to be treated i.p., twice a day, with tramadol (0.625, 1.25, 2.5, or 5 mg/kg) or saline for 5 days (14–18th day postendometriosis; prestone treatment). On the 21st day, they underwent laparotomy for stone formation in the upper left ureter (dental cement injection). All were video‐taped 24 h nonstop for 7 days before and 4 days after stone formation (14–25th day postendometriosis) to record ureteral and pelvic pain behaviors. Lumbar sensitivity (L1) was tested bilaterally, daily over the same period, by verifying presence/absence of vocalization upon muscle pinching at a predefined pressure (calibrated forceps). Additional fifty endo + stone rats underwent the same protocol, except that treatment was performed on 21st–25th day (poststone treatment). Tramadol vs. saline significantly reduced number and duration of ureteral crises, duration of pelvic behavior, and incidence of muscle hyperalgesia (P < 0.0001), with a dose‐dependent effect. Prestone treatment was significantly more effective than poststone treatment for the 1.25 dose for all parameters and 2.5 dose for pelvic and muscle parameters (0.003 > P < 0.02). Tramadol, even at low doses, is thus highly protective against pain from ‘viscero‐visceral hyperalgesia’ in endometriosis plus ureteral calculosis; it can represent a valid therapeutic approach in women with these comorbidities.     

Impact of treatment‐related liver toxicity on the outcome of HCV‐positive non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas

We studied 160 Hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐positive patients with NHL (59 indolent NHL, 101 aggressive). Median age was 67 years. HCV‐RNA was present in 146. HBsAg was positive in seven patients. At diagnosis, ALT value was above UNL in 67 patients. One hundred and twenty patients received an anthracycline‐based therapy, alkylators, 28 received chemotherapy plus rituximab. Cytotoxic drugs dose was reduced in 63 patients. Among 93 patients with normal ALT at presentation, 16 patients developed WHO grade II–III liver toxicity. Among 67 patients with abnormal ALT, eight patients had a 3.5 times elevation during treatment. Among 28 patients treated with rituximab and chemotherapy, five patients (18%) developed liver toxicity. Thirty four patients (21%) did not complete treatment (eight for liver toxicity). Median progression‐free survival (PFS) for patients who experienced liver toxicity is significantly shorter than median PFS of patients without toxicity (respectively, 2 years and 3.7 years, P = 0.03). After a median F‐UP of 2 years, 32 patients died (three for hepatic failure). A significant proportion of patients with HCV+ NHL develop liver toxicity often leading to interruption of treatment. This could be a limit to the application of immunochemotherapy programs. HCV+ lymphomas represent a distinct clinical subset of NHL that deserves specific clinical approach to limit liver toxicity and ameliorate survival. Am. J. Hematol., 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Non-life-threatening sepsis: report of two cases

Streptococcus bovis is one of the nonenterococcal species included among the streptococci group D. It is part of the normal bowel flora in humans and animals, but it is also responsible for infectious diseases (10-15% of all cases of bacterial endocarditis). Many cases of bacteremia and metastatic abscesses (spleen, liver, soft tissues, bone, meninges, endocardium) caused by S. bovis were reported as associated with digestive tract diseases, mainly colonic disease, and, in particular colonic neoplasms, or chronic liver diseases. A role in carcinogenesis has been suggested for this microorganism. The authors report two cases of S. bovis sepsis, one associated with colonic neoplasm and the other with liver cirrhosis and gastric carcinoma. Discussion is focused on probable mechanisms that favor gastric colonization and systemic diffusion of S. bovis from the gut in patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms or chronic liver disease and provides clinical recommendations for patients with S. bovis infections.