Maria Prat

Electronic effects in the regioselectivity of nucleophilic attacks on cationic 1,3-diaryl-π-allylpalladium complexes

Abstract Nucleophilic attacks on π-allylpalladium complexes derived from O2NPh(CHCHCH)PhX systems (X = 4-OMe and 4-Cl) occur prefentially at the allylic terminus remote from the electron-withdrawing group (NO2).

C-alkylation of β diketones with benzylpyridinium salts. Evidence for chain radical mechanisms

Abstract 1-(p-Substituted benzyl)-2,4,6-triphenylpyridinium cations react with β -diketone anions by mechanisms which depend on the para-substituent. The p-methoxybenzyl derivative undergoes S N 1 displacement yielding O- and C-benzylated products. The pnitrobenzyl compound reacts by a chain radicaloid mechanism and gives high yields of C-pnitrobenzylated diketones. The parent benzyl compound forms some C- and some O-benzylated products, together with bibenzyl, probably by a radical chain reaction which was suppressed by radical traps.

Palladium catalyzed allylic C-alkylation of highly acidic and enolic heterocyclic substrates: tetronic acid and triacetic acid lactone

Tetronic acid (pKa 3.76) and triacetic acid lactone (pKa 4.94) have been alkylated at their active carbon atoms by means of thermodinamically controlled palladium catalyzed allylic alkylations.

Palladium catalyzed C-allylation of highly acidic carbo and heterocyclic β-dicarbonyl compounds

Abstract Highly acidic carbo and heterocyclic β-dicarbonyl compounds such as barbituric acid, 3,5-dimethyl-2 H -1,2,6-thiadiazine 1,1-dioxide, cyclohexane-1,3-dione, tetronic acids, Meldrum acid and 1,2-diphenylpyrazolidine-3,5-dione are efficiently C-allylated with primary and secondary allylating agents under palladium catalysis.

Current trends in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome with desire for children

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), one of the most frequent endocrine diseases, affects approximately 5%–10% of women of childbearing age and constitutes the most common cause of female sterility regardless of the need or not for treatment, a change in lifestyle is essential for the treatment to work and ovulation to be restored. Obesity is the principal reason for modifying lifestyle since its reduction improves ovulation and the capacity for pregnancy and lowers the risk of miscarriage and later complications that may occur during pregnancy (gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, etc). When lifestyle modification is not sufficient, the first step in ovulation induction is clomiphene citrate. The second-step recommendation is either exogenous gonadotrophins or laparoscopic ovarian surgery. Recommended third-line treatment is in vitro fertilization. Metformin use in PCOS should be restricted to women with glucose intolerance.

Copper protection in the palladium catalyzed regioselective allylation of a model polyketide: Methyl 3,5-dioxohexanoate

Abstract Regioselective allylation of the model polyketide system methyl 3,5-dioxohexanoate at the C-2 position can be accomplished even with secondary and tertiary radicals by palladium catalyzed allylation of its copper(II) complex, 1a. Initial results indicate that the cobalt(II) complex, 1b, can be also useful. Cyclizations of the resulting diketoesters, 3, afford triacetic acid lactone derivatives, 5, regioselectively allylated at C-3.

Hacia una Educación Física crítica y transformadora de las prácticas sociales: de la práctica a la reflexión y viceversa

Resumen En este primer artículo del monográfico se sitúa la investigación en el campo del desarrollo humano a través de la actividad física y el deporte así como en el ámbito de la didáctica que contempla la educación de valores. Se parte de un análisis de la cuestión con la intención de destacar algunas líneas de trabajo que puedan ayudar a orientar a los profesionales del ámbito educativo. Se justifica la necesidad de progresar en el campo del análisis de las prácticas educativas y en los aspectos específicos del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje en el ámbito de la educación física, con el objetivo de orientar la intervención educativa. Finalmente, se presenta el conjunto de artículos del monográfico que tienen como denominador común el planteamiento de la educación en valores en el contexto escolar y la reflexión como profesionales de la educación física.

Medical alternatives to oocyte donation in women with premature ovarian failure: a systematic review

Abstract Oocyte donation can satisfy the desire to have children in women with premature ovarian failure (POF) but little progress has been made to improve reproduction using the patients’ own gametes. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of alternative treatments to oocyte donation in patients with POF. A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases from January1988 to January 2012 using descriptors related to POF, ovulation induction, and pregnancy was made. Randomized clinical trials of women with POF undergoing various treatments to achieve ovulation induction, often compared with alternative treatment and placebo groups, were only selected. Outcomes of interest were those related to pregnancy (biochemical and live birth). Twelve trials were included and analysed for methodology, inclusion and exclusion criteria, number of patients included, characteristics and type of intervention, and results in terms of ovulation rate, pregnancy rate and ongoing pregnancy rate. The large methodological variability among studies prevented to combined data for a meta-analysis. None of the studies showed statistically significant differences between the study groups. The lack of case-control studies with a placebo group makes it impossible to establish differences between a treatment and no treatment.

The (in)visibility of gender knowledge in the Physical Activity and Sport Science degree in Spain

ABSTRACT This paper draws on research that aimed to explore the construction of gender relations in sport and physical education (PE) through a national study of Spanish university degree curricula. Spain is a useful case study through which to explore gender knowledge within sport and PE degrees, because, unlike many other countries, it has a common, national curriculum framework for its Physical Activity and Sport Science (PASS) degrees. In addition, it has recently passed a new law concerning the introduction of gender knowledge in higher education (HE). Drawing on Bernstein’s (1990) framework of the pedagogic device, this paper examines how this HE gender policy becomes recontextualised as universities and lecturers interpret and translate this into the pedagogical texts that make up the PASS curricula. Purposive sampling was used to select 16 of the 37 universities offering PASS degrees in 2012/2013. The research analysed 16 PASS documents at the degree level and 763 individual subject handbooks. Using discourse analysis, the results showed where and how gender knowledge was incorporated and the extent to which the topic was presented coherently throughout the documents. The analysis revealed five categories of the (in)visibility of gender knowledge within the universities’ instructional discourse. Gender knowledge is largely ignored in PASS curricular documentation, appearing, at best, in highly superficial ways. Despite a national policy requirement on universities to incorporate gender knowledge, this study shows how recontextualisation processes within specific universities’ pedagogic devices operate to marginalise such perspectives within PASS curricula. The research also revealed the significance of individual agents committed to gender equity being situated, and having influence, throughout the pedagogic device. The paper concludes that without a much wider, critical engagement in knowledge about gender equity, PASS degrees will continue to reproduce rather than disrupt the gender relations that have traditionally characterised the field.

Antral follicle count as a predictor of hyperresponse in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation/intrauterine insemination in unexplained sterility

In this prospective study of women with unexplained infertility undergoing the first cycle of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation/intrauterine insemination, the presence of 16 or more antral follicles on day 3 of the cycle was a good predictor of cancellation due to hyperresponse.