Required number of blastocysts transferred, and oocytes retrieved to optimize live and cumulative live birth rates in the first complete cycle of IVF for autologous and donated oocytes.

PURPOSE: To investigate live birth rate (LBR) and cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) to achieve the first newborn per blastocyst transferred and oocyte retrieved in the first complete IVF cycle of autologous and donated oocytes and identify the possible success factors. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of a private IVF center. There were 1867 cycles, 1241 of which were fresh transfers and 626, their subsequent thawing transfers. RESULTS: We found significant variables by binary logistic regression. For LBR, female infertility and the day of blastocyst transferred were relevant; however, for CLBR, the numbers of blastocysts available for future transfers, oocyte age, and maternal age were more critical. Oocyte age is a negative factor that begins to affect CLBR gradually beyond 36 years; from that age, there are significant worse results in polycystic ovary syndrome and poor responder patients. CONCLUSION: The LBR and CLBR were optimized for oocyte recipients when eight oocytes were retrieved (63.6%; 87.9%); at most, fourteen oocytes should be assigned to avoid freezing surplus blastocysts. Thirteen autologous oocytes (69.2%; 92.3%) were ideal for optimization. CLBR optimized after three blastocysts in donor oocytes (81.8%) and four for autologous oocyte patients (80.9%). Our outcomes are valuable for doctors and infertile couples, and they give us information on what we can expect from a first complete IVF cycle.

Subtotal versus total gastrectomy for distal diffuse-type gastric cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Diffuse-type gastric carcinoma in an aggressive form of gastric cancer. Surgery is the only potentially curative treatment. It is controversial whether patients with diffuse-type gastric carcinoma should undergo total or subtotal gastrectomy when feasible. The aim of this study is to analyze the oncologic outcomes and overall survival of patients diagnosed with distal diffuse-type gastric cancer undergoing subtotal versus total gastrectomy with curative intent. METHODS: This retrospective study included all patients with histologically confirmed diffuse-type distal gastric carcinoma and clinical staging cT1-4M0, who underwent surgery with curative intent between 2011 and 2020 in a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Chile. Clinical and pathological staging was conducted using the 8th Edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer Classification. STG group was comprised by patients who underwent subtotal gastrectomy and TG group by patients who underwent total gastrectomy. Both groups were compared in relation to sociodemographic variables, pathology reports and perioperative data which were obtained from electronic medical records. Data analysis was obtained with Stata 16.1 Statistical Software. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty patients underwent curative intent surgery. Subtotal gastrectomy with D2-lymphadenectomy was completed in 68 patients (52%). An R0 resection was achieved in all patients. Median number of resected lymph nodes, tumor size, proximal margin and depth of invasion were similar in both groups. Pathologic staging was similar between both groups, the most frequent being Stage 3(54%). After a median follow-up of 47 months [0.3-157], no difference was observed in overall survival between both groups (5-year-OS 63% in STG group versus 51% in TG group, p = 0.097). CONCLUSIONS: Oncologic and survival outcomes were similar in patients submitted to subtotal and total gastrectomy, suggesting that a subtotal gastrectomy with D2-lymphadenectomy for distal diffuse-type gastric carcinoma is not associated with a decrease in median overall survival and is an adequate surgical approach when technically feasible.

Computationally Assisted Analysis of NMR Chemical Shifts as a Tool in Conformational Analysis.

A key to understanding the properties of functional molecules is to determine their conformation in solution. A conformational analysis procedure that relies on quantum mechanical calculations and the widely used DP4+ probability was evaluated to decipher the structural information encoded in NMR chemical shifts. The results underscore the potential utility of using NMR chemical shifts in advancing conformational analysis studies of complex molecules in solution.

Bilateral abducens and facial nerve palsies following fourth ventriculoperitoneal shunt with laparoscopic-assisted abdominal catheter placement.

Introduction: Hydrocephalus, altering cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics, affects 175 per 100,000 adults worldwide. Ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS) manage symptomatic hydrocephalus, with 125,000 cases annually. Despite efficacy, VPS face complications, necessitating interventions. Research question: "What are the mechanisms and risk factors for bilateral VIth and VIIth lower motor neuron palsies in hydrocephalus patients with a fourth ventriculoperitoneal shunt?" Material and methods: This study details a 36-year-old female with a neonatal meningitis history, multiple shunt replacements, admitted for abdominal pain secondary to pelvic inflammatory disease. An abdominal shunt catheter removal and external ventricular drain placement occurred after consultation with a general surgeon. A cardiac atrial approach and subsequent laparoscopic abdominal approach were performed without complications. Results: After one month, the patient showed neurological complications, including decreased facial expression, gait instability, and bilateral VIth and VIIth lower motor neuron palsies, specifically upgazed and convergence restriction. Discussion: The complication's pathophysiology is discussed, attributing it to potential brainstem herniation from over-drainage of CSF. Literature suggests flexible endoscopic treatments like aqueductoplasty/transaqueductal approaches into the fourth ventricle. Conclusions: This study underscores the need for increased awareness in monitoring neurological outcomes after the fourth ventriculoperitoneal shunt, particularly in cases with laparoscopic-assisted abdominal catheter placement. The rarity of bilateral abducens and facial nerve palsies emphasizes the importance of ongoing research to understand pathophysiology and develop preventive and therapeutic strategies for this unique complication.

Antiproliferative effect of natural and semisynthetic polyethers from Laurencia viridis.

Squalene-derived polyethers are a unique class of compounds that display a great diversity of structures and a broad array of bioactivities, among which its notable antiproliferative activity stands out against various types of cancer cell lines. In this study, eighteen triterpene squalene-derived polyethers, including twelve natural products and six synthetic derivatives, obtained from the red alga Laurencia viridis Gil-Rodríguez & Haroun were screened for their antiproliferative activity against six cancer cell lines: A549, HBL-100, HeLa, SW1573, T-47D, and WiDr; and a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study was established.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Spanish version of the Oswestry disability index for Mexican population.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to adapt a Spanish translation of the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) into a cross-cultural version for the Mexican population. The objectives were to verify the validity and reliability of the adapted ODI and to compare pain perception between patients with and without obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 102 patients with low back pain from two neurosurgery departments in Mexico. The ODI questionnaire was translated and culturally adapted. Validity and construct were evaluated using exploratory factor analysis, and the external convergent validity was assessed by correlating ODI scores with pain intensity, age, and obesity. Test-retest reliability was calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient, and confirmatory analysis was employed to validate the factorial structure. RESULTS: Patients with obesity were older and had higher pain scores than patients without obesity. The exploratory analysis of the ODI in Mexican Spanish showed good reliability (Cronbach's alpha of 0.923) and validity (factorial loading range, 0.681 - 0.818). The confirmatory analysis showed almost null or very low discrepancy between the proposed model and the real data. CONCLUSIONS: A Spanish translation of ODI was cross-culturally adapted for the Mexican population. The Mexican version of the ODI showed good reliability and validity in Mexican culture.

The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is a widely used tool to measure physical disability in daily activities due to low back pain.A Spanish-language version has not been culturally adapted and validated for Mexican habits and lifestyle.This study describes the process of the Spanish ODI translation and cultural adaptation, showing it is a reliable and valid tool for assessing disability in patients with low back pain, with a good factorial structure.

Identification and characterization of novel marine oxasqualenoid yucatecone against Naegleria fowleri.

Naegleria fowleri is an opportunistic protozoan, belonging to the free-living amoeba group, that can be found in warm water bodies. It is causative agent the primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, a fulminant disease with a rapid progression that affects the central nervous system. However, no 100% effective treatments are available and those that are currently used involve the appearance of severe side effects, therefore, there is an urgent need to find novel antiamoebic compounds with low toxicity. In this study, the in vitro activity of six oxasqualenoids obtained from the red algae Laurencia viridis was evaluated against two different strains of N. fowleri (ATCC® 30808 and ATCC® 30215) as well as their cytotoxicity against murine macrophages. Yucatecone was the molecule with the highest selectivity index (>2.98 and 5.23 respectively) and it was selected to continue with the cell death type determination assays. Results showed that yucatone induced programmed cell death like responses in treated amoebae causing DNA condensation and cellular membrane damage among others. In this family of oxasqualenoids, it seems that the most significative structural feature to induce activity against N. fowleri is the presence of a ketone at C-18. This punctual oxidation transforms an inactive compound into a lead compound as the yucatecone and 18-ketodehydrotyrsiferol with IC50 values of 16.25 and 12.70 µM, respectively. The assessment of in silico ADME/Tox analysis revealed that the active compounds showed good Human Oral Absorption and demonstrate that are found to be within the limit of approved drug parameter range. Hence, the study highlights promising potential of yucatone to be tested for therapeutic use against primary amoebic meningoencephalitis.

Autoavaliação de sintomas relacionados à voz em indivíduos com câncer de tireoide antes, imediatamente após e no pós-operatório tardio de tireoidectomia / Self-assessment of voice-related symptoms in individuals with thyroid cancer before, immediately after, and in the late postoperative period of thyroidectomy

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar autopercepção de sintomas vocais, de fadiga vocal e relacionados à tireoidectomia em indivíduos com câncer de tireoide, nos momentos pré-operatório, pós-operatório imediato e pós-operatório tardio, e analisar a influência do gênero. Métodos Trata-se de um estudo de intervenção antes e após com 20 indivíduos com câncer de tireoide, média de 46 anos de idade, avaliados em três momentos: pré-cirurgia (M1), imediatamente após cirurgia (M2) e no pós-operatório tardio (M3) da tireoidectomia. Os indivíduos responderam aos instrumentos Escala de Sintomas Vocais, Índice de Fadiga Vocal e Thyroidectomy-Related Voice and Symptom Questionnaire. Os dados foram analisados ​​de forma descritiva e inferencial. Resultados Na autoavaliação de sintomas vocais físicos e orofaringolaríngeos relacionados à tireoidectomia, o M3 apresentou valores estatisticamente menores que o M1 (p=0,006 e p=0,028, respectivamente) e o M2 (p<0,001 e p=0,004, respectivamente). Para os sintomas totais (p=0,001) e vocais (p=0,001) relacionados à tireoidectomia, os valores do M3 foram significativamente menores que os do M2. Na autoavaliação de sintomas vocais dos domínios total e limitação, o M1 (p<0,001; p<0,001) e o M3 (p=0,013; p=0,001) apresentaram valores significativamente menores que o M2. Indivíduos do gênero masculino apresentaram percepção de sintomas de fadiga no domínio fadiga e limitação vocal (p=0,035) e percepção de sintomas relacionados à tireoidectomia nos domínios total (p=0,044) e sintomas vocais (p=0,012) significativamente menores do que os do gênero feminino, independentemente do momento. Conclusão Sintomas vocais físicos e relacionados à tireoidectomia diminuem no pós-operatório tardio; sintomas vocais totais e limitação aumentam no pós-operatório imediato e diminuem no tardio. Mulheres têm maior percepção de fadiga e limitação vocal e de sintomas totais e vocais relacionados à tireoidectomia.

ABSTRACT Purpose To verify the self-perception of symptoms and vocal fatigue related to thyroidectomy in individuals with thyroid cancer in the pre, immediate post and late post-operative moments, and to analyze the influence of gender. Methods Intervention study before and after with 20 individuals, mean age 46 years, evaluated before surgery (M1), immediately after surgery (M2) and in the late postoperative period (M3) of thyroidectomy. Individuals answered the instruments: Voice Symptoms Scale, Vocal Fatigue Index and Thyroidectomy-Related Voice and Symptom Questionnaire. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially. Results In self-assessment of vocal symptoms of the total domains and limitation, M1 (p<0.001; p<0.001, respectively) and M3 (p=0.013; p=0.001, respectively) had significantly lower values than the M2. For the physical domain of self-assessment of vocal symptoms, the M3 showed statistically lower values than the M1 (p=0.006) and the M2 (p<0.001) assessments. Depending on the moment, the oropharyngolaryngeal symptoms in M3 had significantly lower values ​​than M2 (p=0.004) and M1 (p=0.028). Male scores were significantly lower than female scores in the self-assessment of fatigue symptoms in the fatigue and vocal limitation domain (p=0.035), regardless of the time of assessment. Conclusion Physical vocal symptoms and thyroidectomy-related symptoms decrease in the late postoperative period; total vocal symptoms and limitation increasing in the immediate postoperative period and decrease in the late postoperative period. Women have a higher perception of vocal fatigue and limitation, and of total and vocal symptoms related to thyroidectomy.

A Power-Line Communication System Governed by Loop Resonance for Photovoltaic Plant Monitoring.

Within this paper, a PLC system that takes advantage of the loop resonance of an entire DC-PV string configured as a circular signal path is developed and implemented. Low cost and extremely simple transceivers intended to be installed within each PV module of a string have been designed and successfully tested. In addition, an anti-saturation coil has been conceived to avoid saturation of the core when the entire DC current of the string flows through it. Bi-directional half-duplex communication was successfully executed with up to a 1 MHz carrier frequency (150 kbps bitrate), using a simple ASK modulation scheme. The transmission and reception performance are presented, along with the overall system cost in comparison to the previous literature.

Cuantificación de la extrasistolía supraventricular y ventricular en el holter de 24 horas: significación pronóstica en estudios actuales / Quantification and clinical significance of supraventricular and ventricular extrasystoles in holter recordings: a review

En la actualidad existen diferencias en la interpretación y cuantificación de los extrasístoles supraventriculares y ventriculares en el Holter de ritmo cardíaco y no existe siempre una misma definición e interpretación de lo que se denomina como "escaso", "ocasional", "frecuente" o "muy frecuente". El objetivo del presente trabajo ha sido revisar las evidencias actuales y sus fundamentos en relación a la cuantificación o carga de la extrasistolía supraventricular y ventricular en un Holter de ritmo cardíaco, lo que debiera contribuir a una mayor precisión y mejor interpretación de la información cuantitativa en la práctica clínica diaria con este examen. Se revisa en la literatura el concepto de carga de extrasístoles supraventriculares y ventriculares y su relación con eventos clínicos: fibrilación auricular y accidente cerebrovascular en el caso de la extrasistolía supraventricular y mortalidad post infarto y deterioro de la función ventricular en el caso de la extrasistolía ventricular. De esta manera se cuantifica en base a la evidencia la extrasistolía supraventricular y ventricular.

Considerable differences exist in the quantification and clinical significance of both supraventricular and ventricular extrasystoles found in Holter recordings. Usually extrasystoles were classified as rare, occasional, frequent and very frequent. Current publications were analyzed regarding the frequency and clinical significance or these arrhythmias, especially in in relation to prior myocardial infarction, ventricular dysfunction, atrial fibrillation and cerebro vascular events. Tables showing limits to define the severity of supraventricular and ventricular extrasystoles are included.

Resultados del implante percutáneo de válvula aórtica (TAVI). Experiencia después de la primera década desde la introducción de la técnica / Transcatheter aortic-valve implantation. A ten years clinical experience

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic-valve implantation (TAVI) was introduced in 2002 and the first implants in our country were performed in 2010. AIM: To review the TAVI experience in our hospital, considering the technology improvements and gained experience throughout this period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients undergoing TAVI in our center were included. Results and complications were adjudicated according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 (VARC-2) criteria. Patients were divided in 3 groups, according to procedural year: Period 1: 2010-2015 (n = 35); Period 2: 2016-2018 (n = 35); Period 3: 2019-2021 (n = 41). Mortality up to one year after the procedure was recorded. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2021, 111 TAVI procedures were performed. The mean age of patients was 82 years and 47% were women. Risk scores for in-hospital mortality were STS 6.7%, EUROSCORE II 8.0% and ACC/STS TAVR Score 4.9%. The trans-femoral route was used in 88% and a balloon-expandable valve was chosen in 82% of patients. A successful implant was achieved in 96%, with an in-hospital mortality of 1.8%. Mortality at 30 days and 1-year were 2.7 and 9.0%, respectively. During period 3, 100% of implants were successful, with no in-hospital mortality, less vascular complications (p < 0.01), less stroke (p = 0.04), less severe paravalvular leak (p = 0.01) and significantly lower rate of acute complications (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: TAVI achieves excellent results. With greater experience and better available technologies, these results are even more favorable.

[Pleural deciduoid mesothelioma: A report of 3 cases and a review of the literature]. / Mesotelioma deciduoide pleural: presentación de 3 casos y revisión de la literatura.

Deciduoid mesothelioma is an uncommon histological variant of epithelial mesothelioma which is extremely clinically aggressive. We report 3 cases of pleural caducoid mesothelioma in women of 75, 74 and 23 years of age. All patients presented with dyspnoea, vomiting and pelvic pain. Their imaging studies showed nodular pleuropericardic thickening, a parietal pleuropericardic solid mass and a large thoracic mass, respectively. Only one of them could be treated with chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. Post diagnostic survival was 24 days, 1 month and 17 months respectively (mean 6.2 months). We describe the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical findings together with a review of the relevant literature.

Transcranial electric stimulation motor evoked potentials for cervical spine intraoperative monitoring complications: systematic review and illustrative case of cardiac arrest.

PURPOSE: We show a systematic review of known complications during intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) using transcranial electric stimulation motor evoked potentials (TES-MEP) on cervical spine surgery, which provides a summary of the main findings. A rare complication during this procedure, cardiac arrest by cardioinhibitory reflex, is also described. METHODS: Findings of 523 scientific papers published from 1995 onwards were reviewed in the following databases: CENTRAL, Cochrane Library, Embase, Google Scholar, Ovid, LILACS, PubMed, and Web of Science. This study evaluated only complications on cervical spine surgery undergoing TES-MEP IONM. RESULTS: The review of the literature yielded 13 studies on the complications of TES-MEP IONM, from which three were excluded. Five studies are case series; the rest are case reports. Overall, 169 complications on 167 patients were reported in a total of 38,915 patients, a global prevalence of 0.43%. The most common complication was tongue-bite in 129 cases, (76.3% of all complication events). Tongue-bite had a prevalence of 0.33% (CI 95%, 0.28-0.39%) in all patients on TES-MEP IONM. A relatively low prevalence of severe complications was found: cardiac-arrhythmia, bradycardia and seizure, the prevalence of this complications represents only one case in all the sample. Alongside, we report the occurrence of cardiac arrest attributable to TES-MEP IONM. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review shows that TES-MEP is a safe procedure with a very low prevalence of complications. To our best knowledge, asystole is reported for the first time as a complication during TES-MEP IONM.

Acaricidal activity of Mexican plants against Rhipicephalus microplus resistant to amitraz and cypermethrin.

This study evaluates the acaricidal activity of Mexican native plants against a Rhipicephalus microplus population resistant to both amitraz and cypermethrin. To explore the activities of plants, the larvicidal effects of 72 Kupchan fractions (Hex, DCM, AcOEt and MeOH:H2O) of 18 plant species collected in Veracruz, Mexico were studied. The evaluation of the Kupchan fractions against double resistant R. microplus indicated that the fractions of Annona globiflora (Hex, LC50 = 0.007% w/v; DCM, LC50 = 0.007% w/v), Annona scleroderma (Hex, LC50 = 0.08% w/v; DCM, LC50 = 0.02% w/v), and Litchi chinensis (Hex, LC50 = 0.79% w/v; DCM, LC50 = 0.54% w/v) showed the greatest larvicidal activities. To identify the presence of additive, synergistic, or antagonistic effects, the acaricidal activity of binary mixtures of the most active fractions of A. globiflora, A. scleroderma, L. chinensis and Citrus sinensis were also evaluated. The latter was chosen as it is easy to obtain due to its substantial presence in agricultural activity locally and globally. The results showed synergistic interaction of the fraction Hex of C. sinensis with the fractions of Hex and DCM of L. chinensis. The most active larvicidal fractions were tested against engorged ticks of R. microplus by adult immersion test at concentration of 2.5% w/v. The Hex and DCM fractions from A. globiflora and A. scleroderma were the most active, causing 100% mortality. The Hex and DCM fractions of L. chinensis exhibited approximately 50% mortality, while the other evaluated fractions did not show efficacy at this concentration. Therefore, it is evident that the fractions of these plants have the potential to be used in either combined or single form as effective alternatives in the control of R. microplus zoonoses.

Ectyoplasin, a novel cytotoxic cyclic peptide from Ectyoplasia ferox sponge.

A new cyclic heptapeptide, ectyoplasin (1), was isolated from a methanol extract of the sponge Ectyoplasia ferox. The planar structure of 1, cyclo(-Leu1-Asn2-Ala3-Val4-Thr5-Pro6-Gly7-), was determined by one and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry. Its absolute stereochemistry was solved by Marfey's method. The in vitro assays show that ectyoplasin (1) possess significant cytotoxic activity (2.9 - 23.5 µM) against the cell lines, DU-145 (human prostate cancer), Jurkat (human T-cell acute leukaemia), MM144 (human multiple myeloma), HeLa (human cervical carcinoma) and CADO-ES1 (human Ewing's sarcoma). The DU-145 cell line showed apoptotic cell death in response to ectyoplasin (1) treatment.

[Transcatheter aortic-valve implantation. A ten years clinical experience]. / Resultados del implante percutáneo de válvula aórtica (TAVI). Experiencia después de la primera década desde la introducción de la técnica.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic-valve implantation (TAVI) was introduced in 2002 and the first implants in our country were performed in 2010. AIM: To review the TAVI experience in our hospital, considering the technology improvements and gained experience throughout this period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients undergoing TAVI in our center were included. Results and complications were adjudicated according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 (VARC-2) criteria. Patients were divided in 3 groups, according to procedural year: Period 1: 2010-2015 (n = 35); Period 2: 2016-2018 (n = 35); Period 3: 2019-2021 (n = 41). Mortality up to one year after the procedure was recorded. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2021, 111 TAVI procedures were performed. The mean age of patients was 82 years and 47% were women. Risk scores for in-hospital mortality were STS 6.7%, EUROSCORE II 8.0% and ACC/STS TAVR Score 4.9%. The trans-femoral route was used in 88% and a balloon-expandable valve was chosen in 82% of patients. A successful implant was achieved in 96%, with an in-hospital mortality of 1.8%. Mortality at 30 days and 1-year were 2.7 and 9.0%, respectively. During period 3, 100% of implants were successful, with no in-hospital mortality, less vascular complications (p < 0.01), less stroke (p = 0.04), less severe paravalvular leak (p = 0.01) and significantly lower rate of acute complications (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: TAVI achieves excellent results. With greater experience and better available technologies, these results are even more favorable.

Squamins C-F, four cyclopeptides from the seeds of Annona globiflora.

Four cyclic octapeptides, squamins C-F, were isolated from the seeds of Annona globiflora Schltdl. These compounds share part of their amino acid sequence, -Pro-Met(O)-Tyr-Gly-Thr-, with previously reported squamins A and B. Their structures were determined using NMR spectroscopic techniques together with quantum mechanical calculations (QM-NMR), ESI-HRMS data and a modified version of Marfey's chromatographic method. All compounds showed cytotoxic activity against DU-145 (human prostate cancer) and HeLa (human cervical carcinoma) cell lines. Clearly, A. globiflora is an important source of bioactive molecules, which could promote the sustainable exploitation of this undervalued specie.

Light microscopic and heterogeneity analysis of astrocytes in the common marmoset brain.

Astrocytes are abundant cells of the central nervous system (CNS) and are involved in processes including synapse formation/function, ion homeostasis, neurotransmitter uptake, and neurovascular coupling. Recent evidence indicates that astrocytes show diverse molecular, structural, and physiological properties within the CNS. This heterogeneity is reflected in differences in astrocyte structure, gene expression, functional properties, and responsiveness to injury/pathological conditions. Deeper investigation of astrocytic heterogeneity is needed to understand how astrocytes are configured to enable diverse roles in the CNS. While much has been learned about astrocytic heterogeneity in rodents, much less is known about astrocytic heterogeneity in the primate brain where astrocytes have greater size and complexity. The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a promising non-human primate model because of similarities between marmosets and humans with respect to genetics, brain anatomy, and cognition/behavior. Here, we investigated the molecular and structural heterogeneity of marmoset astrocytes using an array of astrocytic markers, multi-label confocal microscopy, and quantitative analysis. We used male and female marmosets and found that marmoset astrocytes show differences in expression of astrocytic markers in cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. These differences were accompanied by intra-regional variation in expression of markers for glutamate/GABA transporters, and potassium and water channels. Differences in astrocyte structure were also found, along with complex interactions with blood vessels, microglia, and neurons. This study contributes to our knowledge of the cellular and molecular features of marmoset astrocytes and is useful for understanding the complex properties of astrocytes in the primate CNS.

Antiamoeboid activity of squamins C-F, cyclooctapeptides from Annona globifora.

Free-living amoebae of Acanthamoeba spp. are causative agents of human infections such as granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) and Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). The exploration of innovative chemical entities from natural sources that induce intrinsic apoptotic pathway or a Programmed Cell Death (PCD) in Acanthamoeba protozoa is essential to develop new therapeutic strategies. In this work, the antiamoeboid activity of squamins C-F (1-4), four cyclooctapeptides isolated from Annona globiflora was tested in vitro against Acanthamoeba castellanii Neff, A. polyphaga, A. quina, and A. griffini, and a structure-activity relationship was also established. The most sensitive strain against all tested cyclooctapeptides was A. castellanii Neff being the R conformers of the S-oxo-methionine residue, squamins D (2) and F (4), the most active against the trophozoite stage. It is remarkable that all four peptides showed no cytotoxic effects against murine macrophages cell line J774A.1. The analysis of the mode of action of squamins C-F against A. castellanii indicate that these cyclopeptides induced the mechanisms of programmed cell death (PCD). All peptides trigger mitochondrial damages, significant inhibition of ATP production compared to the negative control, chromatin condensation and slight damages in membrane that affects its permeability despite it conserves integrity at the IC90 for 24 h. An increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed in all cases.