Structure-Based Optimization of Carbendazim-Derived Tubulin Polymerization Inhibitors through Alchemical Free Energy Calculations.

Carbendazim derivatives, commonly used as antiparasitic drugs, have shown potential as anticancer agents due to their ability to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human cancer cells by inhibiting tubulin polymerization. Crystallographic structures of α/ß-tubulin multimers complexed with nocodazole and mebendazole, two carbendazim derivatives with potent anticancer activity, highlighted the possibility of designing compounds that occupy both benzimidazole- and colchicine-binding sites. In addition, previous studies have demonstrated that the incorporation of a phenoxy group at position 5/6 of carbendazim increases the antiproliferative activity in cancer cell lines. Despite the significant progress made in identifying new tubulin-targeting anticancer compounds, further modifications are needed to enhance their potency and safety. In this study, we explored the impact of modifying the phenoxy substitution pattern on antiproliferative activity. Alchemical free energy calculations were used to predict the binding free energy difference upon ligand modification and define the most viable path for structure optimization. Based on these calculations, seven compounds were synthesized and evaluated against lung and colon cancer cell lines. Our results showed that compound 5a, which incorporates an α-naphthyloxy substitution, exhibits the highest antiproliferative activity against both cancer lines (SK-LU-1 and SW620, IC50 < 100 nM) and induces morphological changes in the cells associated with mitotic arrest and mitotic catastrophe. Nevertheless, the tubulin polymerization assay showed that 5a has a lower inhibitory potency than nocodazole. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that this low antitubulin activity could be associated with the loss of the key H-bond interaction with V236. This study provides insights into the design of novel carbendazim derivatives with anticancer activity.

Flash vacuum expansion: an alternative with potential for Ataulfo and Manila mango processing.

Mangoes of the Manila and Ataulfo varieties are characterized by having a pleasant flavor and an attractive color of both the peel and pulp. However, due to their post-harvest physiology, they are highly perishable and very susceptible to physical damage, which greatly limits marketing these fruits. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate technologies that preserve their organoleptic and nutritional properties. There is also an increasing demand of products that are as natural as possible where only physical processes are used in their preparation to reduce the use of chemical compounds. A technology that satisfies these demands is the flash vacuum-expansion (FVE) process. In Ataulfo mango, the FVE process increased soluble solids by approximately 9% and total phenolic content from 100.9 to 122.8 mg GAE/100 g of puree, which led to an increase in antioxidant capacity of the puree, as well as slightly improving color stability. However, further optimization of this method of processing mango is required.

Establishment, authenticity, and characterization of cervical cancer cell lines.

Cell lines have been considered excellent research models in many areas of biomedicine and, specifically, in the study of carcinogenesis. However, they cease to be effective models if their behavior changes. Although studies on the cross-contamination of cell lines originating from different tissues have been performed, little is known about cell lines derived from cervical neoplasia. We know that high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) is associated with the development of this type of cancer. This link between HPV infection and cancer was first established over 35 years ago when HPV16 DNA was found to be present in a large proportion of cervical cancer biopsies. The present review paper aims to report the status of the establishment, authenticity, and characterization of cervical cancer (CC) cell lines. This is a systematic review of articles on the establishment, authenticity, and characterization of CC cell lines, published from 1960 to date in the databases and in cell repository databases. 52 cell lines were identified in the literature. Only 25 cell lines were derived from cervical neoplasia, of which only 45.8% have a reported identity test (genomic fingerprint). Despite the increase in the establishment of cell lines of cervical neoplasia and the standards for the regulation of these study models, the criteria for their characterization continue to be diverse.

A simple quantitative method using TLC-image analysis to determine fructooligosaccharides (FOS) in food samples.

The thin-layer chromatography technique (TLC) is a simple and inexpensive analysis commonly used to identify qualitatively the presence of carbohydrates in food samples such as mono- di and oligosaccharides particularly. TLC assay could be improved using image processing software for the semiquantitative determination of this type of compound. In the present work, TLC-image analysis with Silica Gel 60 TLC plates was used for the semiquantitative determination of 6 standards of carbohydrates (glucose, fructose, sucrose, 1-kestose, nystose, and fructofuranosylnystose). Subsequently, the areas of the spots of each compound were determined by digitizing in a conventional office scanner. Then, the segmentation of the images is carried out using software for image processing. The calibration curves were plotted in the Excel software using the average of the areas of the pigmentations obtained in pixels. In this study, the technique of thin-layer chromatography was also used to quantitatively determine the presence of carbohydrates in food samples such as honey, garlic, and onion. Values of determination coefficient (R2) greater than 0.97 in all the calibration curves were obtained. This technique could be useful for detecting carbohydrates (monosaccharides, disaccharides, and oligosaccharides) in analytical assays and food samples without needing specialized analytical equipment. In this work, it was possible to determine the concentration of carbohydrates in samples of garlic and onion that showed the presence of prebiotic carbohydrates in addition to sucrose, glucose, and fructose.

Síndrome nefrótico congénito debutando con enfermedad de cambios mínimos / Congenital nephrotic syndrome debuting with disease of minimal changes

Resumen El síndrome nefrótico es la glomerulopatía primaria más frecuente en pediatría; es una patología que se caracteriza por la presencia de proteinuria, hipoalbuminemia, edema e hipercolesterolemia. Se habla de un neonato con antecedentes de prematuridad y hospitalización al nacer, posterior a múltiples infecciones recurrentes con evolución tórpida durante estancia hospitalaria y edema generalizado, de quien se sospecha tener síndrome nefrótico congénito, apoyándose en resultados paraclínicos positivos y una biopsia renal que reporte enfermedad de cambios mínimos. El síndrome nefrótico congénito es una entidad poco frecuente; sin embargo, presenta alta morbimortalidad, así como diversas formas de presentación clínica e histológica, y su manejo suele ser difícil dada la baja respuesta a corticoides. La presencia del síndrome nefrótico congénito es inusual, no obstante, presenta alta mortalidad y deja muchas secuelas, siendo la enfermedad renal crónica la más temida. Así que resulta importante sospechar en recién nacidos con infecciones recurrentes asociadas a presencia de edema generalizado para iniciar un manejo precoz que pueda ayudar a evitar consecuencias y mejorar la calidad de vida del paciente y su familia.

Abstract Nephrotic syndrome is the most common primary glomerulopathy in pediatrics; it is a pathology characterized by the presence of proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, edema, and hypercholesterolemia. There is talk of a neonate with a history of prematurity and hospitalization at birth, after multiple infections recurrent with torpid evolution during hospital stay and edema generalized, suspected of having congenital nephrotic syndrome, relying on positive paraclinical results and a renal biopsy that reports minimal change disease. Congenital nephrotic syndrome is a rare entity; However, presents high morbidity and mortality, as well as various forms of clinical and histological, and its management is usually difficult given the low response to corticosteroids. The presence of congenital nephrotic syndrome is unusual; however, it presents high mortality and leaves many sequelae, with chronic kidney disease being the most feared. So, it is important to suspect in newborns with infections recurrent associated with the presence of generalized edema to initiate management early that can help prevent consequences and improve the quality of life of the patient and his family. .

Relación entre APGAR al minuto y oligohidramnios en gestante a término atendidas en el hospital / Relationship between APGAR at the minute and oligohydramnios in term pregnant women treated at the hospital

Objetivo:Determinar la relación entre APGAR al minuto y la presencia de oligohidramnios en gestantes a término atendidas en el Hospital Niño Jesús de Barranquilla durante el período 2018 a 2019. Materiales y métodos:Estudio descriptivo, trasversal, retrospectivo, tipo serie de casos. Se incluyeron 203 mujeres embarazadas que fueron atendidas en el Hospital Niño Jesús, con embarazo a término y diagnostico ultrasonográfico de oligohidramnios (ILA menor o igual a 5 cm),durante los años 2018 y 2019. Se relacionaron variables sociodemográficas y gineco obstétricas con el resultado del APGAR y del ILA y se compararon los resultados utilizando Chi2 y prueba de Fisher. Resultados:El promedio de edad de las participantes fuede 23,6 años (DE+/-: 5,7); 48,8% provenían de municipios del departamento del Atlántico y 18,2% de Venezuela; 48,3% tenían un ILA de 4 a 4,9 y 8,4% tuvieron APGAR al minuto menor a 7; 4,9% tuvieron productos con bajo peso al nacer; 15,3% de los que tuvieron ILA de 1 a 3 tuvieron APGAR menor de 7, frente a 5,6% de los que tuvieron ILA de 4 a 5 (Chi2: 5,13; p: 0,024). Así mismo, 40% de las que tuvieron bajo peso al nacer presentaron APGAR <7 en contraste con 6,7% de las que tuvieron productos con peso normal(Fisher: 0,005). Conclusión: Se encontró una relación directamente proporcional entre el valor del ILA y los resultados del APGAR al minuto, y esta relación debe analizarse mediante un estudio de casos y controles. De igual forma se dedujo que el nivel inferior más seguro de líquido amniótico con el que se pueden presentar menos resultados perinatales adversos como la asfixia perinatal es con un ILA igual o mayor de 4 cm.

Objective: To determine the relationship between minute APGAR and the presence of oligohydramnios in full-term pregnant women attended at the Niño Jesús Hospital in Barranquilla during the period 2018 to 2019. Materials and methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study, case series type. 203 pregnant women who were treated at the Niño Jesús Hospital, with term pregnancy and ultrasound diagnosis of oligohydramnios (ILA less than or equal to 5 cm), during the years 2018 and 2019 were included. Sociodemographic and gyneco-obstetric variables were related to the APGAR and ILA and results were compared using Chi2 and Fisher's test. Results: The average age of the participants was 23.6 years (SD +/-: 5.7); 48.8% came from municipalities in the Atlántico department and 18.2% from Venezuela; 48.3% had an ILA of 4 to 4.9 and 8.4% had APGAR at one minute less than 7; 4.9% had products with low birth weight; 15.3% of those with ILA from 1 to 3 had APGAR less than 7, compared to 5.6% of those with ILA from 4 to 5 (Chi2: 5.13; p: 0.024). Likewise, 40% of those with low birth weight had APGAR <7 in contrast to 6.7% of those with normal-weight products (Fisher: 0.005). Conclusion: A directly proportional relationship was found between theILA value and the APGAR results per minute, and this relationship should be analyzed through a case-control study.Similarly, it was deduced that the safest lower level of amniotic fluid with which less adverse perinatal results can occur, such as perinatal asphyxia, is with an ILA equal to or greater than 4 cm

Human Health Risk Associated with the Consumption of Aflatoxins in Popcorn.

INTRODUCTION: Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites produced mainly by the molds Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nomius, and they contaminate cereals, dry fruits, oilseeds and spices. Aflatoxins have harmful effects in animals and humans, inducing vomiting, diarrhea, hepatitis, cirrhosis, immunosuppression, miscarriages, mutagenic and teratogenic effects, resulting in different cancers. Popcorn (Zea mays everta) is a cereal susceptible to aflatoxin contamination, and there are no reports about the risk of its consumption. PURPOSE: A study on the incidence and consumption of aflatoxins in popcorn marketed in the city of Veracruz, Mexico was conducted and evaluated to carry out a risk assessment for human health. METHODS: To obtain popcorn, a random sampling in 30 places was done. Frequency of consumption was obtained with informed consent of participants of 253 surveys that considered gender (56% women and 44% men), age (13 less than 18 years, 218 older than 18 years and 22 older than 60 years) and the average body weight, which was 65.5 kg for women and 72.7 kg for men. RESULTS: Aflatoxins were found in 47% of the 30 samples. The estimated daily consumption among women was 21 g of popcorn daily with 2.8 ng kg-1 body weight aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and 18.29 ng kg-1 body weight total aflatoxins, and for men, the values were 3.0 ng kg-1 body weight AFB1, and 16.0 ng kg-1 body weight of total AF; 1 ng kg-1 body weight is recommended as the tolerance limit by the JECFA (2001). CONCLUSION: The highest liver cancer risk was detected in men population under 18 years of age, with 0.137 cases in 100,000 persons. The results show that 9.5% of the consumers of AFB1-contaminated popcorn are at risk, and 52.2% are at risk for total aflatoxin exposure. Popcorn is accessible to children with lower weight, increasing the risk.

Empatia en estudiantes de medicina de la Universidad del Norte, Colombia. Comparación de dos grupos (2012 y 2015) / Empathy among medical students at Universidad del Norte, Colombia. Comparison of two groups (2012 and 2015)

Resumen Introducción. La empatía es un elemento importante en la relación médico-paciente, por lo que la formación en empatía de los estudiantes de medicina debe ser un objetivo permanente de los programas universitarios. Objetivo. Determinar si las actividades académicas de formación en empatía médica implementadas en la Universidad del Norte en 2013 produjeron cambios significativos en los estudiantes de medicina matriculados en 2015 respecto a los matriculados en 2012. Materiales y métodos. Estudio transversal realizado en 934 estudiantes de Medicina de la Universidad del norte (426 hombres y 508 mujeres) matriculados en 2015 a los que se les aplicó la versión en español de la escala de empatía médica de Jefferson. Por su parte, el grupo de comparación estuvo conformado por 345 estudiantes de medicina (106 hombres y 239 mujeres) matriculados en 2012 en la misma universidad. Se realizó un análisis de varianza (ANOVA) y se evaluaron las diferencias entre los años académicos y entre género, así como las interacciones entre estos dos factores. Resultados. Aunque en general no se encontraron diferencias significativas en las tres dimensiones evaluadas (p>0.05) para los dos grupos, sí se observaron diferencias significativas en las preguntas 4, 17 y 20, correspondientes a la dimensión Toma de perspectiva, y en la pregunta 6, correspondiente a la dimensión Ponerse en el lugar del otro (p<0.05), ya que las medias de puntaje fueron mayores en la cohorte de 2012. Conclusión. Las actividades de formación en empatía establecidas en el plan de estudios del programa de medicina no produjeron cambios significativos, por lo que es necesario evaluar y perfeccionar tanto los contenidos del currículo, como los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje relacionados con la formación en empatía del programa de Medicina de la Universidad del Norte (Barranquilla, Colombia).

Abstract Introduction: Empathy is an important component of the doctor-patient relationship, so the provision of empathy training to medical students must be a permanent goal of MD programs. Objective: To determine whether the academic medical empathy training activities implemented at Universidad del Norte in 2013 resulted in significant changes in medical students enrolled in 2015 compared to those enrolled in 2012. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study conducted on 934 medical students (426 men and 508 women) enrolled at Universidad del Norte in 2015 who were administered the Spanish version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy. The comparison group consisted of 345 medical students (106 men and 239 women) enrolled in 2012 at the same university. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed and differences between academic years and between genders were evaluated, as well as the interactions between these two factors. Results: Although, in general, there were no significant differences between both groups in the three dimensions that were evaluated (p>0.05), statistically significant differences were observed in questions 4, 17 and 20, which are part of the Perspective Taking dimension, and in question 6, included in the Walking in Patient's Shoes dimension (p<0.05), since scores medias were higher in the 2012 cohort. Conclusions: The empathy training activities implemented in the medical program did not produce significant changes. Therefore, it is necessary to assess and improve both the contents and the teaching-learning processes related to empathy training in the medical program offered at Universidad del Norte.

Relación entre colposcopia y biopsia en diagnóstico de CA de cérvix / Relationship between colposcopy and biopsy in diagnosis of CA de cervix

Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre la colposcopia y la biopsia en el diagnóstico de cáncer de cérvix en pacientes de 18 a 59 años, de la ciudad de Barranquilla, durante enero a junio de 2019. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, longitudinal retrospectivo. El área de estudio fue el Servicio de diagnóstico ginecológico de la Clínica Semin de Barranquilla y el área de Patología, donde se tomaron 565 colposcopias y de estas se tomaron 53 biopsias. Se describe lo obtenido de la relación entre las dos principales variables mediante porcentajes y valores de sensibilidad y especificidad. Resultados: El promedio de edad de las participantes fue de 40,3 años (DE+/-: 12,8); los resultados de la colposcopia mostraron que 79,2% de los reportes indicaban sugestividad para LIE de bajo grado y 3,8% sugestivos para LIE de alto grado. En las biopsias el 69,8% de los reportes indicaron LIE de bajo grado, mientras que solamente un caso fue identificado como LIE de Alto grado. Al relacionar los dos resultados se encontró una sensibilidad de 100%, una especificidad de 97,8%, pero con un valor predictivo positivo de 50% y un valor predictivo negativo de 100%. Conclusión: Casi todas las lesiones de bajo grado encontradas por colposcopia son confirmadas por la biopsia; sin embargo, se requiere una muestra mayor para confirmar la sensibilidad y especificidad del procedimiento.

To determine the relationship between Colposcopy and biopsy in the diagnosis of cervical cancer in patients aged 18 to 59 years, from the city of Barranquilla, during January to June 2019. Materials and methods: Descriptive, longitudinal, retrospective study. The study area was the Gynecological Diagnostic Service of the Clínica Semin in Barranquilla and the Pathology area, where 565 colposcopy and 53 biopsies results were taken. The results obtained from the relationship between the two main variables are described using percentages and sensitivity and specificity values. Results: The average age of the participants was 40.3 years (SD +/-: 12.8); Colposcopy results showed that 79.2% of the reports indicated suggestiveness for low-grade LIE and 3.8% suggestive for high-grade LIE. In the biopsies, 69.8% of the reports indicated low-grade, while only one case was identified as high-grade. Relating the two results found a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 97.8%, but with a positive predictive value of 50% and a negative predictive value of 100%. Conclusion: Almost all low-grade lesions found by colposcopy are confirmed by biopsy; however, a larger sample is required to confirm the sensitivity and specificity of the procedure.

Structural Reassignment of rel-(3'Z,3R,6R,7R,3a'R,6'R)-3,8-Dihydrodiligustilide and the Activity of Diligustilide and 3,8-Dihydro- and 3,8,7',7a'-Tetrahydrodiligustilides as Progestins.

Several phthalides were semisynthesized, including a 3,8-dihydrodiligustilide with progesterone-like activity, previously isolated from Ligusticum chuanxiong, the structure of which was earlier assigned to a semisynthetic product with nonidentical spectroscopic constants. The structure of this natural phthalide was reassigned with a proposal of its absolute configuration. Phthalides acted as progestins in cell viability assays, immunofluorescence microscopy, and docking analysis. Therefore, the structures for natural and semisynthetic phthalides with potential use in hormone-related therapies were reassigned.

Colombian Elders and Their Use of Handheld Digital Devices.

Technological advances in the information and knowledge society have influenced and transformed economic, social, and educational dynamics. Currently there are many digital gaps related to the access to technology, level of digital literacy, and social use. These gaps vary based on the age of the population and become more noticeable among elders. Digital illiteracy leads to the underusing of technological developments of the 21st century, making it difficult to take advantage of all the possibilities that they offer to our society. This study aims to analyze the level of penetration and use of handheld digital devices, especially the cellular phone, among the adult population. This study is based on the 2016 National Survey of Life Quality in Colombia, elaborated by Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística-DANE, specifically on the module of ownership and use of ICT goods. Results of four age groups are compared, which include 32 year olds or under, from ages 33 to 45 years, 46 to 59 years, and over 60 years. The sample consists of 37047 inhabitants of the Colombian territory, grouped by regions (Antioquia, Bogota, Caribbean, Eastern Central, Orinoquia, Amazonia, Pacific, San Andres, and Valle del Cauca). Data have been analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistical procedures, contingency tables analyses, and logistic regression, in order to identify and know the effect of age on the level of penetration and use of handheld digital devices when comparing results in young adults and elderly people. Findings show that young adults use these technologies to a greater proportion when compared to older adults, showing a significant correlation between age and the increase of digital gaps in access and social use of handheld digital devices. Results also make evident that digital divide in Colombia may be associated to the place of residence, as people who live in rural zones are the ones who suffer greater from inequalities.

Assessment of Aflatoxin M1 and M2 exposure risk through Oaxaca cheese consumption in southeastern Mexico.

The present study evaluated the exposure of Southeast Mexican population to Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and M2 (AFM2) through the consumption of Oaxaca cheese. The intake of Oaxaca cheese was assessed via a food 7-day dairy questionnaire (N = 1100, 2014 and 2015). Thirty Oaxaca cheeses were randomly sampled, and the origin of the samples was also investigated. AFM1 and AFM2 were quantified by HPLC-FD. The exposure was assessed through the combination of the Probabilistic Density Functions (probabilistic approach). The percentage of the population at risk was calculated through the population exceeding the toxicological reference values (TDI). The risk assessment revealed that the population at higher risk to AFM1 and AFM2 was the children, followed by the adolescents and adult women. To our knowledge, the present study is the first to assess the exposure risk of different age groups of a population to AFM1 and AFM2 through the consumption of cheese.

Estrogen induces CXCR4 overexpression and CXCR4/CXL12 pathway activation in lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate whether estradiol is related to the expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 and its activation in lung adenocarcinoma in vitro, since lung adenocarcinomas from premenopausal women have shown high levels of CXCR4, and this expression has been associated with worse prognosis and poor survival. METHODS: The effect of 17-ß-estradiol (E2) (0.03 nM-10 nM) on CXCR4 expression was analyzed in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines (SK-LU-1, H1435, H23, A549) by immunofluorescence after 24 and 72-h poststimulation. Tamoxifen treatment was applied to corroborate the estrogenic effect. The wound-healing assay was performed to investigate whether E2 treatment increased CXCR4/CXL12 pathway activity. A549 and SK-LU-1 cells were stimulated with E2, CXCL12, and CXCL12 combined with E2. Tamoxifen and AMD3100 were applied to corroborate estrogen and chemokine pathway activation. RESULTS: Estradiol stimulated significantly CXCR4 overexpression in all the cell lines analyzed in a dose- and a time-dependent manner. Tamoxifen treatment inhibited the CXCR4 overexpression observed in estrogen-treated groups, demonstrating that estrogen strongly influences CXCR4 expression in lung adenocarcinoma cells. Cells treated with E2, CXCL12 and E2 combined with CXCL12 exhibited significant cell migration, which was suppressed when tamoxifen and AMD3100 were present. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of CXCR4 induced by estrogen and the activity of CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway could be a new mechanism by which this hormone supports tumor progression and metastasis. These findings may partly explain the worse prognosis observed in premenopausal women and suggest considering the role of estrogen in lung cancer for the design of more specific treatment schemes.

Volatile organic compounds from pachyrhizus ferrugineus and pachyrhizus erosus (Fabaceae) leaves / Compuestos orgánicos volátiles de las hojas de pachyrhizus ferrugineus y pachyrhizus erosus (Fabaceae)

In México, Pachyrhizus erosus (Fabaceae) commonly called "jícama", is widely known for its edible tubers. It is cultivated since the pre-Columbian period, and the powdered seeds have been used for the treatment of mange, lice, and fleas, due to their content of rotenone, a well-known insecticidal compound. On the other hand, P. ferrugineus, a wild species can only be found in the Tropical Forests, and has no commercial value. It is known that plants release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) showing qualitative and quantitative differences if are wild or cultivated. VOCs are also involved as repelling or attracting chemical signals to insect herbivores, and their natural enemies. Until now, the VOCs of the leaves of P. erosus and P. ferrugineus have not been investigated. In the present contribution the VOCs of both species were characterized by headspace solid-phase (HS-SPME) extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS-TOF). In P. erosus 21 VOCs were found, being the most abundant: cyclohexanone (32.8 percent), 3-hexen-1-ol (Z) (32.7 percent), 3-hexenal (Z) (10.5 percent). The majoritarian compounds were C6 or C5 derivatives In P. ferrugineus, the most abundant VOCs were: 5-hexene-1-ol acetate (51.5 percent), undecanal (22.4 percent), 2-hepten-1-al (14.5 percent). The majoritarian compounds were C6, C7 or C11 derivatives.

En México, Pachyrhizus erosus (Fabaceae) es llamada comúnmente "jícama" y es conocida por sus tubérculos comestibles. Se ha cultivado desde el período pre-Colombino y las semillas se han utilizado para el tratamiento tópico de la sarna, piojos, pulgas; las semillas contienen rotenona, un compuesto insecticida. Por otra parte, P. ferrugineus solo está presente en estado silvestre en los bosques tropicales y carece de valor comercial. Se sabe que las plantas liberan compuestos orgánicos volátiles (COV) y muestran diferencias cualitativas y cuantitativas dependiendo, si son silvestres o cultivadas. Los COV también son señales químicas atrayentes o repelentes de los insectos herbívoros y a sus enemigos naturales. Hasta ahora, los COV en las hojas de P. erosus y P. ferrugineus no han sido investigados. En el presente trabajo, los COV se identificaron mediante la microextracción (HS-SPME) en fase sólida, e identificados por cromatografía de gases acoplada a espectrometría de masas (GC-MS-TOF). En P. erosus se encontraron 21 COV, siendo los más abundantes: ciclohexanona (32.8 por ciento), 3-hexen-1-ol (Z) (32.7 por ciento) y 3-hexenal (Z) (10.5 por ciento). Los compuestos mayoritarios son C6 y C5. En P. ferrugineus los más abundantes fueron: 5-hexen-1-ol acetato (51.5 por ciento), undecanal (22.4 por ciento) y 2-hepten-1-al (14.5 por ciento). Los compuestos mayoritarios son C6, C7 o C11.

Estrógenos y su influencia en el cáncer pulmonar / The influence of estrogens in lung cancer

Resumen Actualmente, el cáncer pulmonar es un problema de salud importante a nivel mundial porque presenta una alta incidencia y mortalidad tanto en hombres como en mujeres. Su forma más común es el adenocarcinoma (ADC), que es una entidad patológica interesante ya que de todas las formas de cáncer pulmonar, es la que se asocia menos con el tabaquismo y un porcentaje importante de pacientes con adenocarcinoma son no fumadores. De modo que otros factores como la exposición al humo de leña, a los contaminantes del aire, la historia familiar de cáncer, entre otros, son importantes para el desarrollo del ADC pulmonar. Actualmente el ADC pulmonar es la principal forma de cáncer pulmonar en las mujeres y se ha reportado que las mujeres premenopáusicas presentan peor pronóstico y los tumores son más agresivos cuando se comparan con los hombres y las mujeres posmenopáusicas. Estos datos han sugerido el papel de los estrógenos en el cáncer pulmonar, principalmente en el ADC. Aunque existe vasta evidencia epidemiológica que demuestra esta relación, hay controversia en cuanto al papel de los estrógenos en esta patología. De igual manera no hay una opinión generalizada sobre los mecanismos por los cuales los estrógenos podrían favorecer la carcinogénesis. Sin embargo, cada vez es más clara la importancia de éstas hormonas en la carcinogénesis pulmonar. En esta revisión se muestran estos datos y se discute la relevancia de los estrógenos en el cáncer pulmonar, una patología cuya dependencia hormonal es cada vez más clara.

Abstract Lung cancer is currently a worldwide health issue because of the mortality and high incidence of this pathology in both men and women. The most common form of lung cancer is adenocarcinoma (ADC); It is an interesting disease entity because among every type of lung cancer it has the lower association with smoking and a significant percentage of patients with adenocarcinoma are not smokers. Hence other factors such as exposure to wood-smoke, air pollutants, family history of cancer, among others, are important in the development of lung ADC. Nowadays, lung ADC is the main form of lung cancer in women and reports show that premenopausal women have the worse prognosis and have more aggressive tumors compared to men and postmenopausal women. These data suggests that estrogens have a particular role in lung cancer physiopathology mainly in ADC. Although there is sufficient epidemiological evidence that indicates a relationship between sexual hormones and lung cancer, the role of estrogens in this pathology is still controversial. Furthermore there is no general consent regarding the known mechanisms by which these hormones could promote carcinogenesis and because the scarce information about the implication of these hormones in lung carcinogenesis more studies are needed. In this review we discuss the role and relevance of estrogens in lung cancer, a pathology whose hormonal dependency is becoming clearer.

Características del endotelio corneal en pacientes sometidos a cirugía del cristalino por la técnica de prechop vs. facochop / Characteristics of the corneal endothelium in patients undergoing lens crystalline surgery with the prechop vs. facochop technique

Objetivo: determinar la repercusión sobre el endotelio corneal, con la aplicación de las técnicas de prechop vs. phacochop en la cirugía de catarata por facoemulsificación. Métodos: se realizó un estudio prospectivo analítico de casos y controles, en el Servicio de Catarata adjunto al Centro de Microcirugía Ocular del Hospital Oftalmológico Docente Ramón Pando Ferrer, con el diagnóstico de catarata unilateral o bilateral, desde enero de 2013 hasta enero de 2014. A cincuenta pacientes se les aplicó el procedimiento prechop y a otros cincuenta phacochop. Las variables bajo estudio fueron la edad, el sexo, la dureza del núcleo del cristalino y el tiempo de aplicación del ultrasonido; y tanto en el preoperatorio como en el posoperatorio se tuvieron en cuenta la densidad celular, la hexagonalidad y el coeficiente de variabilidad. Resultados: al comparar los resultados posoperatorios en el grupo en que se aplicó prechop con los obtenidos por phacochop, hubo diferencias en la pérdida de densidad celular y de la hexagonalidad. Estas fueron mayores en el grupo phacochop. También hubo diferencias en el coeficiente de variabilidad y en el tiempo efectivo de facoemulsificación, los cuales fueron mayores en el grupo phacochop. Conclusiones: los resultados posoperatorios corroboran que los pacientes a quienes se les aplica prechop presentan mejor conservación del endotelio corneal que los que reciben phacochop(AU)

Objective: to determine the impact of the application of the techniques of prechop vs phacochop techniques on the corneal endothelium in the cataract surgery using phacoemulsification. Methods: a prospective, analytical case-control study in the cataract service of the Center of Ocular Microsurgery Ocular in Ramón Pando Ferrer teaching ophthalmological hospital, with the diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral cataract, and conducted from January 2013 to January 2014. Fifty patients underwent the prechop procedure and 50 were applied the phacochop method. The variables under study were age, sex, crystalline lens hardness and length of time of ultrasound application; both in the preoperative and postoperative phase, the cell density, hexagonality and the coefficient of variability were took into account. Results: when comparing the postoperative results in the prechop group with those of the phacochop one, there were differences in the loss of cell density and hexagonality, being greater in the phacochop group. There were also differences in the coefficient of variability, and the effective time of phacoemulsificación, which were greater in the phacochop group. Conclusions: the postoperative results corroborate that the group of patients under prechop procedure has better preservation of their corneal endothelium than those in the phacochop group(AU)

Isolation of human mesenchymal stem cells and their cultivation on the porous bone matrix.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a differentiation potential towards osteoblastic lineage when they are stimulated with soluble factors or specific biomaterials. This work presents a novel option for the delivery of MSCs from human amniotic membrane (AM-hMSCs) that employs bovine bone matrix Nukbone (NKB) as a scaffold. Thus, the application of MSCs in repair and tissue regeneration processes depends principally on the efficient implementation of the techniques for placing these cells in a host tissue. For this reason, the design of biomaterials and cellular scaffolds has gained importance in recent years because the topographical characteristics of the selected scaffold must ensure adhesion, proliferation and differentiation into the desired cell lineage in the microenvironment of the injured tissue. This option for the delivery of MSCs from human amniotic membrane (AM-hMSCs) employs bovine bone matrix as a cellular scaffold and is an efficient culture technique because the cells respond to the topographic characteristics of the bovine bone matrix Nukbone (NKB), i.e., spreading on the surface, macroporous covering and colonizing the depth of the biomaterial, after the cell isolation process. We present the procedure for isolating and culturing MSCs on a bovine matrix.

Estrogen receptor beta and CXCR4/CXCL12 expression: differences by sex and hormonal status in lung adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Studies have reported differences in lung cancer behavior between sex and hormonal status that suggest a role of estrogens and estrogen receptor beta (ERß) in lung carcinogenesis. In some types of hormone-dependent cancer, estrogens may regulate CXCL12/CXCR4 expression through ERß signaling. High expression of CXCL12/CXCR4 is associated with poor prognosis in lung cancer because it promotes tumor growth and metastasis. Therefore, in this study we investigated whether lung adenocarcinoma tissues from pre- and postmenopausal women and from men exhibit different ERß, CXCR4/CXCL12 expression and whether this expression is associated with clinicopathological features. METHODS: Sixty primary tumor samples of lung adenocarcinoma from pre- and postmenopausal women and from men were collected for this study. Thirty samples of healthy lung tissue adjacent to the tumor site were used as controls. ERß and CXCL12/CXCR4 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Expression of these proteins was measured by digital image software and compared between sex and hormonal status. RESULTS: Lung adenocarcinomas overexpressed ERß, CXCR4 and CXCL12 compared to normal lung. Moreover, lung adenocarcinomas from premenopausal women exhibited higher signals for ERß, CXCL12 and CXCR4 compared to postmenopausal women and to men, who showed lower signals for these proteins. A multivariate analysis revealed a strong association between the immunoreactivity level of ERß, CXCL12/CXCR4 and both sex and hormonal status, but not with tumor stage and smoking. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that ERß and CXCL12/CXCR4 expression in lung adenocarcinoma depends on sex and hormonal status, which may partly explain the sex and hormonal differences in lung cancer behavior.

Differential expression of serotonin, tryptophan hydroxylase and monoamine oxidase A in the mammary gland of the Myotis velifer bat.

The mammary gland has long drawn the attention of the scientific community due to the limited knowledge of some fundamental aspects involved in the control of its function. Myotis velifer, a microchiropteran species, provides an interesting model to study some of the regulatory factors involved in the control of the mammary gland cycle. Having an asynchronous, monoestrous reproductive pattern, female M. velifer bats undergo drastic morphological changes of the breast during the reproductive cycle. Current research on non-chiropteran mammals indicates that serotonin (5-HT) plays a major role in the intraluminal volume homeostasis of the mammary gland during lactation; however, an analysis of both the expression and localization of the main components of the serotonergic system in the bat mammary gland is lacking. Thus, the objectives of the present study were: to describe the gross and histological anatomy of the mammary gland of M. velifer to establish the lactation period for this species; to analyze the distribution and expression of the main serotonergic components in the mammary tissues of these bats under the physiological conditions of lactation, involution and the resting phase; and to provide information on the involvement of 5-HT in the regulation of the physiological function of this organ. To assess the expression and localization of serotonergic components, multiple immunofluorescence, Western blot and HPLC methods were used. 5-HT and the enzyme that catalyzes its synthesis (TPH) were located in both myoepithelial and luminal epithelial cells, while the enzyme responsible for the catabolism of this neurohormone (MAO A) was found in luminal epithelial cells as well as in secreted products. We also found an increased expression of serotonergic components during lactation, indicating that elements of the serotonergic system may play an important role in lactation in this species of bat in a way similar to that of other mammal species.

Relationship between fermentation index and other biochemical changes evaluated during the fermentation of Mexican cocoa (Theobroma cacao) beans.

BACKGROUND: During traditional cocoa processing, the end of fermentation is empirically determined by the workers; consequently, a high variability on the quality of fermented cocoa beans is observed. Some physicochemical properties (such as fermentation index) have been used to measure the degree of fermentation and changes in quality, but only after the fermentation process has concluded, using dried cocoa beans. This would suggest that it is necessary to establish a relationship between the chemical changes inside the cocoa bean and the fermentation conditions during the fermentation in order to standardize the process. RESULTS: Cocoa beans were traditionally fermented inside wooden boxes, sampled every 24 h and analyzed to evaluate fermentation changes in complete bean, cotyledon and dried beans. The value of the fermentation index suggested as the minimal adequate (≥1) was observed at 72 h in all bean parts analyzed. At this time, values of pH, spectral absorption, total protein hydrolysis and vicilin-class globulins of fermented beans suggested that they were well fermented. CONCLUSION: Since no difference was found between the types of samples, the pH value could be used as a first indicator of the end of the fermentation and confirmed by evaluation of the fermentation index using undried samples, during the process.