Synthesis and reactivity of hydroindole enelactams leading to densely functionalized scaffolds.

The 5-endo-trig radical cyclization of N-benzyl-N-[(2-substituted)cycloalkenyl] trichloroacetamides (tetrasubstituted enamides) using Bu3SnH and AIBN is a reliable synthetic procedure giving access to 3a-methyl- and 3a-methoxycarbonyl enelactams. The substrate-controlled diastereoselective enolate alkylation of these enelactams resulted in the synthesis of a set of 3-substituted derivatives that upon reduction furnished polyfunctionalized cis-octahydroindoles. The latter building blocks, which embody three consecutive stereocenters at C-3, C-3a, and C-7a, were also synthesized through an initial reductive radical cyclization using (carbo-substituted)dichloroacetamides.

Iatrogenic femoral neck fracture during closed nailing of the femoral shaft fracture.

BACKGROUND: Intramedullary nails have become a popular implant in the management of femoral shaft fractures. The occurrence of a femoral neck fracture after closed intramedullary nailing is an exceptional complication of this technique that has been rarely reported in the literature. METHODS: We report a retrospective study to identify the possible causes that could produce a fracture of the femoral neck after nailing of the ipsilateral femur. RESULTS: A total of four neck fractures were identified in a series of 494 femoral shaft nailing, all of them not visible on the initial plain films. In two cases, the nail entry point was located lateral to the tip of the greater trochanter. In the other two cases, the entry point was located too medial to the greater trochanter, violating the superoexternal cortex of the femoral neck. CONCLUSION: The event of a femoral neck fracture during closed intramedullary nailing is an unusual complication that may be caused due to a technical mistake related to the location of the nail entry portal in the proximal femur.

[Developmental outcome of extremely low birth weight infants (<1,000 g) during the first three years of life]. / Seguimiento de recién nacidos de peso menor o igual a 1.000 g durante los tres primeros años de vida.

INTRODUCTION: Obstetrics and Perinatal Care has improved in the last few years. As a result there has been a significant increase in preterm babies and longer survival. The risk of abnormalities in their development is high; they need follow up, prompt action and prevention from the neonatal period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated 116 preterm babies, birth weight less than or equal to 1,000 grams, admitted to our Unit over 5 years. Seventy five neonates survived after the neonatal period (64.7 %). We studied the development during the first three years of life. RESULTS: The number of admissions of extremely low birth weigh infants has increased by 100 % in the last five years and the survival has increased by 15 %. Failure to thrive was the most frequent problem; in the first 2 years of life neonatal growth retardation was present in more than 50 % of cases (58 % 1st year, 57 % 2nd year, 40 % 3rd year). Catch-up growth occurred except in infants who had intrauterine growth retardation. Motor function disorders were the most serious; minor alterations in this system were the most frequent but usually did not compromise the life of the patient. Cerebral palsy was present in 14 % in the 1st year of life, 17,4 % 2nd year and 19 % 3rd year. Retinopathy of prematurity was very high in our group (74 %), but ophthalmic sequela were infrequent (3.2 % 1st year, 3.9 % 2nd year, and 3.4 % 3rd year); similarly with hearing function (deafness 2.0 %). Only some mild or moderate language development delay was present and psychomotor development was normal in the majority of cases and those who were retarded improved with time. CONCLUSIONS: Nowadays there is a significant increase in the incidence and survival of extremely low birth weigh infants. They have a higher risk of abnormal development. The most frequent problem is failure to thrive and the most serious is cerebral palsy. Major ophthalmic and hearing sequela are rare. Psychomotor and language development is normal in the majority of these patients.