'Scarless reverse umbilicoplasty': A new technique of umbilical transposition in abdominoplasty.

INTRODUCTION: The navel plays a major role in the aesthetics of the abdomen. A navel that is abnormally shaped, malpositioned or has evident scarring may compromise the outcome of an otherwise well-executed full abdominoplasty. The aim of the technique in question is to recreate a navel that looks natural, with no visible scar, and that is properly positioned. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The technique was performed in 147 abdominoplasties of patients of both sexes (123 females and 24 males), with an average age of 35 years and a mean BMI of 24 kg/m2. The procedure involves the creation of a navel of reduced size, 10 × 5 mm, and its inset in the abdominal wall. Subsequently, the as-yet-not sutured abdominal flap is extended caudally to determine the point of projection of the navel. The abdominal skin is marked, the flap is reversed and an internal suture is carried out. RESULTS: The appearance of the navel is aesthetically pleasant and natural looking and with no visible scarring. In addition, the position of the umbilicus is always correct. At the two-year follow-up, the results remain stable. No major complication occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The technique allows for the attainment of an extremely natural looking navel that satisfies the aesthetic criteria of attractiveness without visible scarring. The navel is always correctly positioned, without requiring measurements during surgery. The procedure is rapid, and although it does require a short learning curve, the results are extremely aesthetically pleasing and reproducible. The patient satisfaction rate is extremely high.

Synthesis, in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity, and prediction of the intestinal absorption of substituted 2-ethoxycarbonyl-imidazo[2,1-b]benzothiazoles.

The imidazobenzothiazole compounds 3-17 together with the imidazobenzoxazole 18, and the imidazobenzoimidazole 19 were prepared and their cytotoxic activity evaluated at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for testing against a panel of approximately 60 tumor cell lines. Compounds 5, 7, 8, and 16 exhibited interesting in vitro cytotoxic activity. The most active imidazobenzothiazole derivative 8 was further evaluated as a cytotoxic agent in the hollow fiber assay and showed a score greater than the minimum values for xenograft testing together with a net cell kill. Comparison with the results displayed in the in vivo assay by standard antitumor drugs in clinical use revealed a significant in vivo activity of the benzothiazole compound. COMPARE analyses for compounds 4-19 against the NCI's standard agent database show poor or no correlation, and it might suggest for these compounds a mechanism of action unrelated to that of any known drug. Furthermore, the benzothiazole 8 did not show significant antitumor activity in a panel of two xenotransplanted tumors (i.e. colon and non-small cell lung tumors). By computing the polar surface area of compounds 3-19 with the MAREA computer program it was established that the most active compounds 5, 7, 8, and 16 should experience good intestinal permeability.

[Synthesis and antiinflammatory activity of various 1,4-benzothiazine derivatives]. / Sintesi ed attività antiinfiammatoria di alcuni derivati 1,4-benzotiazinici.

A new series of dihydro-4H-1,4-benzothiazine derivatives was prepared. These compounds were obtained by reductive N-alkylation reaction with sodium borohydride in acetic acid of the corresponding 4H-1,4-benzothiazine. Some of the latter compounds were synthesized by a new synthetic method employing 2-aminobenzenethiol and alkynes as starting material. Preliminary pharmacological data on the antiinflammatory activity of these compounds by using carrageenin paw edema assay are reported.