A series of derivatives structurally related to biphenyline (3) was designed with the aim to modulate selectivity toward the alpha(2)-AR subtypes. The results obtained demonstrated that the presence of a correctly oriented function with positive electronic effect (+sigma) in portion X of the ligands is an important factor for significant alpha(2C)-subtype selectivity (imidazolines 5, 13, 16, and 19). Homology modeling and docking studies support experimental data and highlight the crucial role for the hydrogen bond between the pyridine nitrogen in position 3 of 5 and the NH-indole ring of Trp6.48, which is favorably oriented in the alpha(2C)-subtype, only.

To date, diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) is included in routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols for several cancers. The real additive role of DWI lies in the “functional” information obtained by probing the free diffusivity of water molecules into intra and inter-cellular spaces that in tumors mainly depend on cellularity. Although DWI has not gained much space in some oncologic scenarios, this non-invasive tool is routinely used in clinical practice and still remains a hot research topic: it has been tested in almost all cancers to differentiate malignant from benign lesions, to distinguish different malignant histotypes or tumor grades, to predict and/or assess treatment responses, and to identify residual or recurrent tumors in follow-up examinations. In this review, we provide an up-to-date overview on the application of DWI in oncology.

A number of derivatives structurally related to cirazoline (1) were synthesized and studied with the purpose of modulating alpha2-adrenoreceptors selectivity versus both alpha1-adrenoreceptors and I2 imidazoline binding sites. The most potent alpha2-agonist was 2-[1-(biphenyl-2-yloxy)ethyl]-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole (7), whose key pharmacophoric features closely matched those found in the alpha2-agonist 2-(3-exo-(3-phenylprop-1-yl)-2-exo-norbornyl)amino-2-oxazoline (15). (S)-(-)-7 was the most potent of the two enantiomers, confirming the stereospecificity of the interaction with alpha2-adrenoreceptors. This eutomer was tested on two algesiometric paradigms and, because of the interaction with alpha2-adrenoreceptors, showed a potent and long-lasting antinociceptive activity, since it was abolished by the selective alpha2-antagonist RX821002.

SUMMARY: Spinal DAVSs of the cervical level are rare lesions. The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical and angiographic characteristics of cervical spinal DAVSs. From a prospectively collected database including 449 cases of brain and spinal DAVSs, lesions located at the cervical level were selected. The clinical presentation, angiographic characteristics, and treatment outcome were assessed. Twelve cases of spinal DAVSs were identified at the level of the cervical spinal canal (male to female ratio ϭ 8:4; mean age ϭ 56.5 years). Five patients (41.7%) presented with hemorrhage including SAH (n ϭ 4) and cerebellar hemorrhage (n ϭ 1). Coincidental spinal DAVSs with cranial DAVSs or brain AVMs were noted in 5 cases (41.7%). The spinal DAVS was the symptomatic lesion in 10 cases and was incidentally discovered during evaluation for SAH from a coincidental lesion in 2 cases. Combined endovascular and surgical resection resulted in symptomatic improvement in 10 patients. In conclusion, DAVSs of the cervical spine are rare lesions which often present with hemorrhage and are frequently associated with complex coincidental vascular lesions. Combined endovascular and surgical treatment will result in good outcome.ABBREVIATIONS: APA ϭ ascending pharyngeal artery; ASA ϭ anterior spinal artery; AVF ϭ arteriovenous fistula; AVM ϭ arteriovenous malformation; br ϭ branch; Caud ϭ caudal; Cbll ϭ cerebellar; CostoCerv ϭ costocervical artery; DAVS ϭ dural arteriovenous shunt; DSA ϭ digital subtraction angiography; FU ϭ follow-up; hem ϭ hemorrhage; ICA ϭ internal cerebral artery; Lt ϭ left; min ϭ minimal; NA ϭ not available; n-BCA ϭ n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate; OA ϭ occipital artery; PVA ϭ polyvinyl alcohol; Rost ϭ rostral; Rt ϭ right; SCA ϭ superior cerebral artery; SAH ϭ subarachnoid hemorrhage; SupPetSin ϭ superior petrosal sinus; ThCerv ϭ thyrocervical artery; Tsin ϭ transverse sinus; VA ϭ vertebral artery S pinal DAVS is a disease in which an abnormal arteriovenous communication develops between the dural branch of a radicular artery and a radicular or leptomeningeal vein along the dura.1 It is by far the most common spinal arteriovenous shunt, typically characterized by presentation beyond the fourth or fifth decade with male predominance and venous congestive myelopathy. The most prevalent location is along the thoracolumbar spine, with rare occurrence in the cervical level.2 This disproportionate distribution has been attributed to the differences of venous drainage patterns. The thoracolumbar cord drains via small-caliber radiculospinal veins, which may make venous drainage somewhat tenuous and sensitive to hemodynamic alterations. In contrast, the venous drainage at the cervical level is more divergent and, therefore, may be less susceptible to the development of various vascular lesions.2 Literature regarding cervical spinal DAVSs is limited to a few case series. 3-6The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical and angiographic characteristics of cervical spinal DAVSs from a large prospectively collected s...

MRL is easy and safe to use and combines extensive information on the anatomy and functionality of lymphatic vessels and veins in a single process; therefore, it could be useful in LVA treatment planning and evaluating possible super-microsurgical treatment complications in patients with lymphedema.