Diagnóstico diferencial entre Doença de Crohn e Hidradenite Supurativa: relato de caso

Crohn’s disease is a chronic infl ammatory bowel disease with segmental transmural infl ammation, which complicate with formation of fi stulas and abscesses. The hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is characterized by recurrent abscesses, with a predilection for areas rich in apocrine glands such as the axillary, inguinal and perineal. The differential diagnosis between these diseases is diffi cult and may compromise treatment. Report case: C.R.M.A., 40 year-old, female, white, ileal and colonic Crohn’s disease complicated with perianal and rectovaginal fi stula for 12 years, treated with biological therapy since May 2010. In Sep/2010 presented with an abscess in the buttock D with purulent discharge refractory to the use of ciprofl oxacin and metronidazole. USG: collection of 30 cm3 in buttock D. The diagnosis was HS and the patient underwent extensive surgical removal of the affected areas (10 x 2 cm) with healing by secondary intention. Skin graft performed unsuccessfully in Dec/2010. The patient returned in jan/2011 with a new fi stula at the site of resection, consistent with Crohn’s disease. In fev/2011 underwent drainage of abscesses and placement of setons in perianal fi stulas. Currently in therapy with good biological evolution of fi stulas. The prevalence of HS varies from 0.3 to 4% of the population in general. The axilla is the region most affected and perianal lesions are associated with greater weakness. There are published reports of association between HS and Crohn’s disease sporadically and further studies are needed to assess a common pathogenesis. The differential diagnosis should be performed in all cases planning immediate treatment, avoiding complications and worsening of the patient’s quality of life.

Prevalência de sintomas clínicos e fatores associados à ocorrência de síndrome do túnel do carpo na gravidez

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Avaliação da eficiência nutricional e economica de dietas para papagaios verdadeiros (Amazona aestiva) em cativeiro

Pós-graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia Animal - FEIS

As vozes e as visões dos catadores de materiais recicláveis sobre o meio ambiente

Pós-graduação em Serviço Social - FCHS

Felypressin Increases Blood Pressure During Dental Procedures in Hypertensive Patients

Background: Felypressin has been added to local anesthetic to increase the length of the anesthetic effect and reduce toxicity during dental procedures. However, the effect on blood pressure remains uncertain, and this may be highly relevant in the dental treatment of hypertensive patients. Objective: To investigate the effect of felypressin on blood pressure in hypertensive patients with controlled BP. Methods: 71 subjects with these characteristics and in need of periodontal treatment were studied. After 10 minutes of rest, local anesthesia (prilocaine) was infiltrated with and without addition of felypressin. Then, a deep subgingival scaling was performed. Blood pressure was measured by an automated oscillometric device (DIXTAL DX2010). Ten minutes after the administration of the anesthetic, peak anesthetic action was recorded. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to assess the patients' trait anxiety. Results: Systolic blood pressure increased after anesthesia, regardless of association with felypressin, throughout the dental procedure (p<0.05) and this response can be explained, at least in part, by the trait anxiety levels of the subjects. However, a further increase in diastolic blood pressure was observed when prilocaine was associated with felypressin (p<0.05), but this response did not change with trait anxiety levels. Conclusion: Felypressin increased the diastolic blood pressure of hypertensive patients with controlled blood pressure. Patients with high trait anxiety presented increases in systolic blood pressure upon some procedures, suggesting that an increase in blood pressure might also be related to fear or anxiety. (Arq Bras Cardiol 2012;99(2):724-731)

CLEANING ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN BIRDS AND HERBIVOROUS MAMMALS IN BRAZIL: STRUCTURE AND COMPLEXITY

Birds that remove ectoparasites and other food material from their hosts are iconic illustrations of mutualistic-commensalistic cleaning associations. To assess the complex pattern of food resource use embedded in cleaning interactions of an assemblage of birds and their herbivorous mammal hosts in open habitats in Brazil, we used a network approach that characterized their patterns of association. Cleaning interactions showed a distinctly nested pattern, related to the number of interactions of cleaners and hosts and to the range of food types that each host species provided. Hosts that provided a wide range of food types (flies, ticks, tissue and blood, and organic debris) were attended by more species of cleaners and formed the core of the web. On the other hand, core cleaner species did not exploit the full range of available food resources, but used a variety of host species to exploit these resources instead. The structure that we found indicates that cleaners rely on cleaning interactions to obtain food types that would not be available otherwise (e.g., blood-engorged ticks or horseflies, wounded tissue). Additionally, a nested organization for the cleaner bird mammalian herbivore association means that both generalist and selective species take part in the interactions and that partners of selective species form an ordered subset of the partners of generalist species. The availability of predictable protein-rich food sources for birds provided by cleaning interactions may lead to an evolutionary pathway favoring their increased use by birds that forage opportunistically. Received 30 June 2011, accepted 10 November 2011.

Factors associated with maternal intrapartum transfers from a freestanding birth centre in Sao Paulo, Brazil: A case control study

Objectives: to identify factors associated with maternal intrapartum transfer from a freestanding birth centre to hospital. Design: case-control study with retrospective data collection. Participants and settings: cases included all 111 women transferred from a freestanding birth centre in Sao Paulo to the referral hospital, from March 2002 to December 2009. The controls were 456 women who gave birth in the birth centre during the same period who were not transferred, randomly selected with four controls for each case. Methods: data were obtained from maternal records. Factors associated with maternal intrapartum transfers were initially analysed using a chi(2) test of association. Variables with p < 0.20 were then included in multivariate analyses. A multiple logistic regression model was built using stepwise forward selection; variables which reached statistical significance at p < 0.05 were considered to be independently associated with maternal transfer. Findings: during the study data collection period, 111(4%) of 2,736 women admitted to the centre were transferred intrapartum. Variables identified as independently associated factors for intrapartum transfer included nulliparity (OR 5.1, 95% CI 2.7-9.8), maternal age >= 35 years (OR 5.4, 95% CI 2.1-13.4), not having a partner (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.5-5.3), cervical dilation <= 3 cm on admission to the birth centre (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.2) and between 5 and 12 antenatal appointments at the birth centre (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.9-7.5). In contrast, a low correlation between fundal height and pregnancy gestation (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2-0.6) appeared to be protective against transfer. Conclusions and implications for practice: identifying factors associated with maternal intrapartum transfer could support decision making by women considering options for place of birth, and support the content of appropriate information about criteria for admission to a birth centre. Findings add to the evidence base to support identification of women in early labour who may experience later complications and could support timely implementation of appropriate interventions associated with reducing transfer rates. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with and without breast cancer

OBJECTIVE: The values of bone mineral density (BMD) were compared in postmenopausal women with and without breast cancer. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted, including 51 breast cancer survivors (BCS) and 71 women without breast cancer, who were non-users of hormone therapy, tamoxifen, or aromatase inhibitors. BMD T-scores and measurements in grams per centimeter squared (g/cm²) were obtained at the femoral neck, trochanter, Ward's triangle, and lumbar spine. Osteopenia and osteoporosis were grouped and categorized as abnormal BMD. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) of abnormal BMD values as measures of association, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for age, years since menopause, parity, and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: The mean age of the women with and without breast cancer was 54.7 ± 5.8 years and 58.2 ± 4.8 years (p < 0.01), respectively. After adjusting for age, parity and BMI, abnormal BMD at the femoral neck (adjusted OR: 4.8; 95% CI: 1.5-15.4), trochanter (adjusted OR: 4.6; 95% CI: 1.4-15.5), and Ward's triangle (adjusted OR: 4.5; 95% CI: 1.5-12.9) were significantly more frequent in postmenopausal BCS than in women without breast cancer. Postmenopausal BCS had a significantly lower mean BMD at the trochanter (0.719 vs. 0.809 g/cm², p < 0.01) and at the Ward's triangle (0.751 vs. 0.805 g/cm², p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of abnormal BMD was higher in postmenopausal BCS than in postmenopausal women without breast cancer. Bone health requires special vigilance and the adoption of interventions should be instituted early to minimize bone loss in BCS.

PReS-FINAL-2170: Work disability in adult patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)

Introduction Approximately 20% JIA patients enters adulthood with clinically active disease and disabled, therefore work condition may be affected. Objectives To assess the prevalence of work disability among adult patients with JIA regularly attending a tertiary heumatology center and to determine possible associated risk factors. Methods This was a cross-sectional study that enrolled 43 JIA patients according to 2004 revised ILAR criteria. A questionnaire was developed in order to evaluate working status and labor activity: occupation, current/previous work, employment status and withdrawal rate were actively searched. Demographic data, JIA characteristics, clinical activity (DAS28>2.6), therapeutic intervention, comorbidities, physical activity, sedentarism (WHO definitions), functional class (1991 ACR criteria), HAQ and SF-36 were recorded. The prevalence of work disability was calculated using 95% confidence interval, and compared to all parameters; qualitative variables were analyzed using tests of association (chi-square test) and quantitative variables by Mann-Whitney or student test. Results Patients' mean age was 29+7.4 yrs (range 19-41) with mean JIA duration = 17.2+12.3 yrs (range 3-33); 63% were males and 37% females. JIA subtypes were 64% polyarticular, 11% oligoarticular, 9% systemic, 9% ERA, 2% extended oligoarticular, 2% psoriatic arthritis; 7% had uveitis. Serum RF was positive in 21% and ANA in 21%. The majority (72%, n = 31) of JIA patients were employed, whereas 28% (n = 12) were currently not working. In the latter group, 83% (10/12) were retired due to JIA related disability. Further analysis comparing those currently working vs. Those not working revealed similar age (25,3 yrs vs.29,5 yrs, p = 0,09). Although not significantly, most patients currently working had Poly onset JIA (22 vs. 6 p = 0,37), higher frequencies of good education level >12 yrs of school (31 vs.9, p = 0,38), functional class I (p = 0,96), practiced regular physical activity (9 vs. 0, p = 0,89), were singles (26 vs. 8, p = 0,15). Both groups had comparable HAQ and DAS 28 scores (0,62 vs. 0.59, p = 0,47 and 2,51 vs.2,07, p = 0,64) and similar arthroplasty rate (8 vs. 4, p = 0,427). Frequencies of hypertension (3 vs.1, p = 0,999), dyslipidemia (1 vs. 1, p = 0,125), diabetes (1 vs. 0 p = 0,999), depression (1 vs. 0, p = 0,999) and smokers (3 vs. 1, p = 0,99) were alike in both groups. Remarkably, employed patients had higher SF 36 mental health component (84.0 vs. 70.42, P = 0.01). Conclusion High prevalence of almost 1/3 work disability and of retirement due to disease related incapacity remain major problems for adult JIA individuals. We also identified worse mental health in employed patients indicating that further research is needed, in addition to intense affirmative disability actions in order to remove possible disabling barriers and to adapt restrictive environments for these patients. Moreover, enhanced strategies and policy for inclusion of JIA patients in the job market is urged.

Metabolismo di oligosaccaridi prebiotici in Bifidobacterium per il potenziale sviluppo di nuovi prodotti alimentari funzionali

The growth and the metabolism of Bifidobacterium adolescentis MB 239 fermenting GOS, lactose, galactose, and glucose were investigated. An unstructerd unsegregated model for growth of B. adolescentis MB 239 in batch cultures was developed and kinetic parameters were calculated with a Matlab algorithm. Galactose was the best carbon source; lactose and GOS led to lower growth rate and cellular yield, but glucose was the poorest carbon source. Lactate, acetate and ethanol yields allowed calculation of the carbon fluxes toward fermentation products. Similar distribution between 3- and 2-carbon products was observed on all the carbohydrates (45 and 55%, respectively), but ethanol production was higher on glucose than on GOS, lactose and galactose, in decreasing order. Based on the stoichiometry of the fructose 6-phosphate shunt and on the carbon distribution among the products, ATP yield was calculated on the different carbohydrates. ATP yield was the highest on galactose, while it was 5, 8, and 25% lower on lactose, GOS, and glucose, respectively. Therefore, a correspondance among ethanol production, low ATP yields, and low biomass production was established demonstrating that carbohydrate preferences may result from different sorting of carbon fluxes through the fermentative pathway. During GOS fermentation, stringent selectivity based on the degree of polymerization was exhibited, since lactose and the trisaccharide were first to be consumed, and a delay was observed until longer oligosaccharides were utilized. Throughout the growth on both lactose and GOS, galactose accumulated in the cultural broth, suggesting that β-(1-4) galactosides can be hydrolysed before they are taken up. The physiology of Bifidobacterium adolescentis MB 239 toward xylooligosaccharides (XOS) was also studied and our attention was focused on an extracellular glycosyl-hydrolase (β-Xylosidase) expressed by a culture of B. adolescentis grown on XOS as sole carbon source. The extracellular enzyme was purified from the the supernatant, which was dialyzed and concentrated by ultrafiltration. A two steps purification protocol was developed: the sample was loaded on a Mono-Q anion exchange chromatography and then, the active fractions were pooled and β-Xylosidase was purified by gel filtration chromatography on a Superdex-75. The enzyme was characterized in many aspects. β- Xylosidase was an homo-tetramer of 160 kDa as native molecular mass; it was a termostable enzyme with an optimum of temperature at 53 °C and an optimum of pH of 6.0. The kinetics parameter were calculated: km = 4.36 mM, Vmax = 0.93 mM/min. The substrate specificity with different di-, oligo- and polysaccharides was tested. The reactions were carried out overnight at pH 7 and at the optimum of temperature and the carbohydrates hydrolysis were analyzed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Only glycosyl-hydrolase activities on XOS and on xylan were detected, whereas sucrose, lactose, cellobiose, maltose and raffinose were not hydrolyzed. It’s clearly shown that β-Xylosidase activity was higher than the Xylanase one. These studies on the carbohydrate preference of a strain of Bifidobacterium underlined the importance of the affinity between probiotics and prebiotics. On the basis of this concept, together with Barilla G&R f.lli SpA, we studied the possibility to develop a functional food containing a synbiotic. Three probiotic strains Lactobacillus plantarum BAR 10, Streptococcus thermophilus BAR 20, and Bifidobacterium lactis BAR 30 were studied to assess their suitability for utilization in synbiotic products on the basis of antioxidative activity, glutathione production, acid and bile tolerance, carbohydrates fermentation and viability in food matrices. Bile and human gastric juice resistance was tested in vitro to estimate the transit tolerance in the upper gastrointestinal tract. B. lactis and L. plantarum were more acid tolerant than S. thermophilus. All the strains resisted to bile. The growth kinetics on 13 prebiotic carbohydrates were determined. Galactooligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides were successfully utilized by all the strains and could be considered the most appropriate prebiotics to be used in effective synbiotic formulations. The vitality of the three strains inoculated in different food matrices and maintained at room temperature was studied. The best survival of Lactobacillus plantarum BAR 10, Streptococcus thermophilus BAR 20, and Bifidobacterium lactis BAR 30 was found in food chocolate matrices. Then an in vivo clinical trial was carried out for 20 healthy volunteers. The increase in faecal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli populations and the efficacy of the pre-prototype was promising for the future develop of potential commercial products.

Genetica molecolare dell'autismo: studi di associazione ed analisi di geni candidati

Autism is a neurodevelpmental disorder characterized by impaired verbal communication, limited reciprocal social interaction, restricted interests and repetitive behaviours. Twin and family studies indicate a large genetic contribution to ASDs (Autism Spectrum Disorders). During my Ph.D. I have been involved in several projects in which I used different genetic approaches in order to identify susceptibility genes in autism on chromosomes 2, 7 and X: 1)High-density SNP association and CNV analysis of two Autism Susceptibility Loci. The International Molecular Genetic Study of Autism Consortium (IMGSAC) previously identified linkage loci on chromosomes 7 and 2, termed AUTS1 and AUTS5, respectively. In this study, we evaluated the patterns of linkage disequilibrium (LD) and the distribution of haplotype blocks, utilising data from the HapMap project, across the two strongest peaks of linkage on chromosome 2 and 7. More than 3000 SNPs have been selected in each locus in all known genes, as well as SNPs in non-genic highly conserved sequences. All markers have been genotyped to perform a high-density association analysis and to explore copy number variation within these regions. The study sample consisted of 127 and 126 multiplex families, showing linkage to the AUTS1 and AUTS5 regions, respectively, and 188 gender-matched controls. Association and CNV analysis implicated several new genes, including IMMP2L and DOCK4 on chromosome 7 and ZNF533 and NOSTRIN on the chromosome 2. Particularly, my contribution to this project focused on the characterization of the best candidate gene in each locus: On the AUTS5 locus I carried out a transcript study of ZNF533 in different human tissues to verify which isoforms and start exons were expressed. High transcript variability and a new exon, never described before, has been identified in this analysis. Furthermore, I selected 31 probands for the risk haplotype and performed a mutation screen of all known exons in order to identify novel coding variants associated to autism. On the AUTS1 locus a duplication was detected in one multiplex family that was transmitted from father to an affected son. This duplication interrupts two genes: IMMP2L and DOCK4 and warranted further analysis. Thus, I performed a screening of the cohort of IMGSAC collection (285 multiplex families), using a QMPSF assay (Quantitative Multiplex PCR of Short fluorescent Fragments) to analyse if CNVs in this genic region segregate with autism phenotype and compare their frequency with a sample of 475 UK controls. Evidence for a role of DOCK4 in autism susceptibility was supported by independent replication of association at rs2217262 and the finding of a deletion segregating in a sib-pair family. 2)Analysis of X chromosome inactivation. Skewed X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is observed in females carrying gene mutations involved in several X-linked syndromes. We aimed to estimate the role of X-linked genes in ASD susceptibility by ascertaining the XCI pattern in a sample of 543 informative mothers of children with ASD and in a sample of 164 affected girls. The study sample included families from different european consortia. I analysed the XCI inactivation pattern in a sample of italian mothers from singletons families with ASD and also a control groups (144 adult females and 40 young females). We observed no significant excess of skewed XCI in families with ASD. Interestingly, two mothers and one girl carrying known mutations in X-linked genes (NLGN3, ATRX, MECP2) showed highly skewed XCI, suggesting that ascertainment of XCI could reveal families with X-linked mutations. Linkage analysis was carried out in the subgroup of multiplex families with skewed XCI (≥80:20) and a modest increased allele sharing was obtained in the Xq27-Xq28 region, with a peak Z score of 1.75 close to rs719489. In this region FMR1 and MECP2 have been associated in some cases with austim and therefore represent candidates for the disorder. I performed a mutation screen of MECP2 in 33 unrelated probands from IMGSAC and italian families, showing XCI skewness. Recently, Xq28 duplications including MECP2, have been identified in families with MR, with asymptomatic carrier females showing extreme (>85%) skewing of XCI. For these reason I used the sample of probands from X-skewed families to perform CNV analysis by Real-time quantitative PCR. No duplications have been found in our sample. I have also confirmed all data using as alternative method the MLPA assay (Multiplex Ligation dependent Probe Amplification). 3)ASMT as functional candidate gene for autism. Recently, a possible involvement of the acetylserotonin O-methyltransferase (ASMT) gene in susceptibility to ASDs has been reported: mutation screening of the ASMT gene in 250 individuals from the PARIS collection revealed several rare variants with a likely functional role; Moreover, significant association was reported for two SNPs (rs4446909 and rs5989681) located in one of the two alternative promoters of the gene. To further investigate these findings, I carried out a replication study using a sample of 263 affected individuals from the IMGSAC collection and 390 control individuals. Several rare mutations were identified, including the splice site mutation IVS5+2T>C and the L326F substitution previously reported by Melke et al (2007), but the same rare variants have been found also in control individuals in our study. Interestingly, a new R319X stop mutation was found in a single autism proband of Italian origin and is absent from the entire control sample. Furthermore, no replication has been found in our case-control study typing the SNPs on the ASMT promoter B.

Patologia ed epidemiologia molecolare delle infezioni associate all'impianto

Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are leading pathogens of implant-related infections. This study aimed at investigating the diverse distribution of different bacterial pathogen factors in most prevalent S. aureus and S. epidermidis strain types causing orthopaedic implant infections. In this study the presence both of the ica genes, encoding for biofilm exopolysaccharide production, and the insertion sequence IS256, a mobile element frequently associated to transposons, was investigated in relationship with the prevalence of antibiotic resistance among Staphylococcus epidermidis strains. The investigation was conducted on 70 clinical isolates derived from orthopaedic implant infections. Among the clinical isolates investigated a dramatic high level of association was found between the presence of ica genes as well as of IS256 and multiple resistance to all the antibiotics tested. Noteworthy, a striking full association between the presence of IS256 and resistance to gentamicin was found, being none of the IS256-negative strain resistant to this antibiotic. This association is probably because of the link of the corresponding aminoglycoside-resistance genes, and IS256, often co-existing within the same staphylococcal transposon. Moreover we investigated the prevalence of aac(6’)-Ie-aph(2’’), aph (3’) IIIa, and ant(4’) genes, encoding for the three forms of aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AME), responsible for resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics. All isolates were characterized by automated ribotyping, so that the presence of antibiotic resistance determinants was investigated in strains exhibiting different ribopatterns. Interestingly, combinations of coexisting AME genes appeared to be typical of specific ribopatterns. 200 S. aureus isolates, categorized into ribogroups by automated ribotyping, i.e. rDNA restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, were screened for the presence of a panel of adhesins genes, accessory gene regulatory (agr) polymorphisms and toxins. For many ribogroups, characteristic tandem genes arrangements could be identified. Surprisingly, the isolates of the most prevalent cluster, enlisting 27 isolates, were susceptible to almost all antibiotics and never possessed the lukD/lukE gene, thus suggesting the role of factors other than antibiotic resistance and the here investigated toxins in driving the major epidemic clone to the larger success. Afterwards, .in the predominant S. aureus cluster, the bbp gene encoding bone sialoprotein-binding protein appeared a typical virulence trait, found in 93% of the isolates. Conversely, the bbp gene was identified in just 10% of the remaining isolates of the collection. In this cluster, co-presence of bbp with the cna gene encoding collagen adhesin was a pattern consistently observed. These findings indicate a crucial role of both these adhesins, able to bind the most abundant bone proteins, in the pathogenesis of orthopaedic implant infections, there where biomaterials interface bone tissues. Moreover a PCR screening for the ebpS gene, conducted on over two hundred S. aureus clinical isolates from implant related infections revealed the detection of six strains exhibiting an altered amplicon size, shorter than expected. In order to elucidate the sequence changes present in these gene variants, the trait comprised between the primers was analyzed in all six isolates bearing the modification and in four isolates exhibiting the regular amplicon size. From nucleotide translation, the corresponding encoded protein was found to lack an entire peptide segment of 60 amino acids. These variants, missing an entire hydrophobic region, could actually facilitate current structural studies, helping to assess whether the absent domain is strictly necessary for a functional adhesin conformation and its contribution to the topology of the protein. This study suggests that epidemic clones appear to pursue different survival strategies, where adhesins, when present, exhibit diverse importance as virulence factors. A practical message arising from the present study is that strategies for the prevention and treatment of implant orthopaedic infections should target adhesins conjointly present in epidemic clones. Furthermore, the choice of reference strains for testing the anti-infective properties of biomaterials should focus on a selection of the most prevalent clones as they exhibit distinct profiles of adhesins.

Società di capitali amministratrici di società di persone

The present work focuses on a specific aspect of the general issue concerning the possible consequences of the reform of business corporations (“società di capitali”) on the discipline of partnerships (“società di persone”). After the reform of business law enacted with legislative decree n. 6/2003, the majority of the literature, in the light of the provisions of art. 2361 co. 2 civil code and art. 111-duodecies of the regulatory provisions (“disposizioni di attuazione”) of the civil code itself, maintains the possibility for a business corporation to be executive of a partnership. As a matter of fact, whenever all the members of a partnership are actually business corporations, it shall be possible that either one of the latter becomes the executive, either such role is played by a third party, i. e. a non-partner. After displaying the possible advantages and disadvantages stemming from a business corporation managing a partnership, the analysis investigates the legal feasibility of the case in point. First of all, the reasons supporting the theory under which a legal person cannot be manager of a partnership are examined in depth; an overview of the principal EU Member States’ legal systems and of the discipline of the European Economic Interest Grouping and of European Corporate is then provider for. At the outset of such analysis, the author asserts the legal possibility for a legal person to act as manager of a corporation, including a partnership. Afterwards, the investigation covers the issue of the executive-member in the partnerships. Initially, an overview of the literature concerning the legal nature of the management is offered; then, the three different categories of partnership are analyzed, in order to understand whether such legal persons can be managed by a third party (i.e. a non-member). On the basis of the existing strict connection between executive powers and unlimited liability, the author concludes that only the members shall be manager of the partnerships. Another chapter of the thesis is centred, from the one hand, on the textual data that, after the reform of 2003, support the aforesaid conclusion; from the other hand, on the peculiar features of the corporate business that is executive of a partnership. In particular, the attention is focused on the necessity or on the mere opportunity of an article of association explicitly providing that a corporate business can be executive of the partnership; on the practical ways by which the former shall manage the latter (especially on the necessity of nominating a permanent representative of the legal person and on the possibility to designate the procurators to this end); on the disclosure obligations applicable to the case in point.

I diritti particolari dei soci nelle S.r.l.

Il tema oggetto della presente tesi di dottorato trae spunto dall'analisi dell'art. 2468 c.c. nel quale può dirsi contenuto il nucleo fondamentale della disciplina della partecipazione sociale. In primo luogo vi è un'analisi comparata dell'istituto in esame con quelli previsti negli altri paesi europei. Dopo una breve analisi di diritto comparato ci si è concentrati sulla legislazione italiana ed, in particolare, l'elaborato cerca di dare una risposta ai seguenti interrogativi: a) quali sono i “particolari diritti” ex art. 2468 c.c.? b) si può parlare di “categorie speciali di partecipazioni”? Con riferimento al primo interrogativo va considerato che il modello legale prevede che i diritti particolari attribuibili ai soci riguardano l’amministrazione della società o la distribuzione degli utili. Tale disciplina sussiste quando l’atto costitutivo attribuisce i particolari diritti senza disporre nulla sulla loro trasferibilità, modificabilità ed inerenza alla partecipazione sociale piuttosto che alla persona del socio. Ci si è chiesti quali siano i confini delle due categorie espressamente previste dall’art. 2468, 3 c.c. e se tale previsione sia tassativa piuttosto che esemplificativa, aprendosi quindi la strada alla libera determinabilità dei diritti sociali, alla stregua di quanto sancisce l’art. 2348, 2 c.c., in merito alle azioni “speciali”. Si giunge così alla conclusione che la previsione sia esemplificativa e che anche nelle s.r.l. le parti sono libere di attribuire ai soci diritti sociali diversi da quelli derivanti dal modello legale, nei limiti derivanti da specifiche norme imperative. Nel secondo capitolo sono stati approfonditi i principi dettati dall’art. 2468 c.c., la natura di tali "particolari diritti" ed i loro profili di qualificazione nonché le loro esplicazioni contenutistiche Nel terzo capitolo si è analizzato cosa accade ai "particolari diritti" in caso di vicende modificative. Nel quarto capitolo poi è stato affrontata la controversa questione relativa alla possibilità di creare delle “categorie di quote”.

Synthese von Münzmetallsilylen in flüssigem Ammoniak

Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Promotionsarbeit wird das wasserähnliche Lösungsmittel flüssiger Ammoniak verwendet, um die kinetisch instabilen Münzmetallsilyle in hohen Ausbeuten darzustellen. Als Ausgangsverbindungen dienten verschiedene basenfreie Kaliumsilanide, die sich in flüssigem Ammoniak gut lösen ohne nennenswert protolysiert zu werden. Gegenüber konventionellen Synthesen, die in organischen Lösungsmitteln durchgeführt werden, können statt Alkoholate die leicht zugänglichen Münzmetallhalogenide eingesetzt werden. Bei einer Stöchiometrie von 1:1 werden in Abhängigkeit der sterischen Anspruchs des Silylrestes, die cyclischen oder die Ammoniakate der dimeren Kupfer– bzw. Silbersilyle erhalten, während zwei Äquivalente basenfreien Kaliumsilanid und ein Äquivalent Münzmetallhalogenid zu den homologen Homocuprate, -argentate und -aurate führen. Zusätzlich wird die Auswirkung des unterschiedlich sterischen Anspruches der Silylliganden und des gebundenen Münzmetalls auf die Strukturparameter untersucht. Im zweiten Teil dieser Arbeit wird das dargestellte Aurat KAuHyp2 (Hyp = Si(SiMe3)3) mit Trimethylchlorsilan in verschiedenen organischen Lösungsmitteln umgesetzt. In Anhängigkeit von der Stöchiometrie, der Reaktionsdauer, der Temperatur und des verwendeten Lösungsmittels werden erstmalig eine Vielzahl neuer anionischer Goldsilylkomplexe erhalten, genannt sei die Verbindung [K2(Toluol)2][Au4Hyp4], welsches ein Au4-Tetraederskelett mit vier terminalen Hypersilylliganden besitzt. Vom besonderen Interesse ist die Reduktion des Golds. Bemerkenswert sind die zu beobachtenden Silizium-Silizium-Bindungsspaltungen bzw. -Bindungsmetathese bei Raumtemperatur, beispielsweise erkennbar an der Verbindung [K][Au5(Si(SiMe3)2)6]. Auf die Thematik dieser neuartigen strukturell interessanten anionischen Goldsilyle wird in dieser Arbeit näher eingegangen.