Effects of swift heavy ions on metal nanoparticles embedded in silica: Using linearly polarized light to monitor the elongation kinetics.

The elongation of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in a dielectric matrix after irradiation with swift heavy ions is a phenomenon that has been known for several years. However, the precise mechanism behind this deformation process is still not fully understood, primarily due to the dearth of information during intermediate stages of deformation. In this study, we report the continuation of our previous work [Peña-Rodríguez et al., Sci. Rep. 7(1), 922 (2017)], exploiting the strong dependence of the localized surface plasmon resonance on the aspect ratio of elongated metal NPs to study the elongation kinetics in situ. In situ optical absorption spectra were measured using a polarizing beam splitter to separate the longitudinal and transverse plasmon modes of the anisotropic NPs. Then, the detailed geometrical and compositional parameters were determined from a fit of these spectra. The use of linearly polarized light allowed for a more accurate analysis of the elongation kinetics, particularly useful in the first stages, where longitudinal and transverse modes overlap.

Genetic and Clinical Analyses of the KIZ-c.226C>T Variant Resulting in a Dual Mutational Mechanism.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a heterogeneous inherited retinal disorder. Mutations in KIZ cause autosomal recessive (AR) RP. We aimed to characterize the genotype, expression pattern, and phenotype in a large cohort of KIZ cases. Sanger and whole exome sequencing were used to identify the KIZ variants. Medical records were reviewed and analyzed. Thirty-one patients with biallelic KIZ mutations were identified: 28 homozygous for c.226C>T (p.R76*), 2 compound heterozygous for p.R76* and c.3G>A (p.M1?), and one homozygous for c.247C>T (p.R83*). c.226C>T is a founder mutation among patients of Jewish descent. The clinical parameters were less severe in KIZ compared to DHDDS and FAM161A cases. RT-PCR analysis in fibroblast cells revealed the presence of four different transcripts in both WT and mutant samples with a lower percentage of the WT transcript in patients. Sequence analysis identified an exonic sequence enhancer (ESE) that includes the c.226 position which is affected by the mutation. KIZ mutations are an uncommon cause of IRD worldwide but are not rare among Ashkenazi Jews. Our data indicate that p.R76* affect an ESE which in turn results in the pronounced skipping of exon 3. Therefore, RNA-based therapies might show low efficacy since the mutant transcripts are spliced.

Cysteine Rich Intestinal Protein 2 is a copper-responsive regulator of skeletal muscle differentiation.

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element required for respiration, neurotransmitter synthesis, oxidative stress response, and transcriptional regulation. Imbalance in Cu homeostasis can lead to several pathological conditions, affecting neuronal, cognitive, and muscular development. Mechanistically, Cu and Cu-binding proteins (Cu-BPs) have an important but underappreciated role in transcription regulation in mammalian cells. In this context, our lab investigates the contributions of novel Cu-BPs in skeletal muscle differentiation using murine primary myoblasts. Through an unbiased synchrotron X-ray fluorescence-mass spectrometry (XRF/MS) metalloproteomic approach, we identified the murine cysteine rich intestinal protein 2 (mCrip2) in a sample that showed enriched Cu signal, which was isolated from differentiating primary myoblasts derived from mouse satellite cells. Immunolocalization analyses showed that mCrip2 is abundant in both nuclear and cytosolic fractions. Thus, we hypothesized that mCrip2 might have differential roles depending on its cellular localization in the skeletal muscle lineage. mCrip2 is a LIM-family protein with 4 conserved Zn2+-binding sites. Homology and phylogenetic analyses showed that mammalian Crip2 possesses histidine residues near two of the Zn2+-binding sites (CX2C-HX2C) which are potentially implicated in Cu+-binding and competition with Zn2+. Biochemical characterization of recombinant human hsCRIP2 revealed a high Cu+-binding affinity for two and four Cu+ ions and limited redox potential. Functional characterization using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of mCrip2 in primary myoblasts did not impact proliferation, but impaired myogenesis by decreasing the expression of differentiation markers, possibly attributed to Cu accumulation. Transcriptome analyses of proliferating and differentiating mCrip2 KO myoblasts showed alterations in mRNA processing, protein translation, ribosome synthesis, and chromatin organization. CUT&RUN analyses showed that mCrip2 associates with a select set of gene promoters, including MyoD1 and metallothioneins, acting as a novel Cu-responsive or Cu-regulating protein. Our work demonstrates novel regulatory functions of mCrip2 that mediate skeletal muscle differentiation, presenting new features of the Cu-network in myoblasts.

Disease quiescence in endophthalmitis patients treated with anti-VEGF injections for retinal pathologies.

BACKGROUND: The most feared complication of intravitreal injections is the development of endophthalmitis, which could lead to irreversible visual loss. The aim of this study was to characterize the clinical profiles, causative pathogens, and clinical outcome of patients post-endophthalmitis. METHODS: Retrospective, single center case series study. Clinical records, causative pathogens and management of all cases of endophthalmitis post intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections recorded between January 1st, 2006 and May 30th, 2022; were retrieved. The visual and anatomic changes prior to the episode of endophthalmitis and up to 2 years post-treatment were compared. RESULTS: Eleven post-injection endophthalmitis eyes of 10 patients (n = 3 females; 30%) were recruited at mean age of 64.5 ± 20.4 years. The median last recorded BCVA, up to 3 months prior to the episode of endophthalmitis was 60 (Interquartile range (IQR) 55-75) ETDRS letters. Then, it dropped to 30 (IQR 0-57.5), 35 (IQR 0-52.5) and 35 (IQR 0-57.5) ETDRS letters at presentation, 6- and 12-months follow-up; respectively (p = 0.027, p = 0.017 and p = 0.012). However, at 24 months, the median BCVA returned to similar baseline values prior to the episode of endophthalmitis; BCVA 50 (IQR 0-60) ETDRS letters, p = 0.062. Interestingly, two eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD), 1 with myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and 1 with retinal vein occlusion (RVO), experienced disease quiescence and did not require additional anti-VEGF injections up to 2 years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates long-term recovery of vision loss due to endophthalmitis post anti-VEGF injections, regained up to 2 years later. It also indicates that disease quiescence post endophthalmitis may not only occur in eyes treated for NVAMD, but also with myopic CNV and RVO.

Best Disease: Global Mutations Review, Genotype-Phenotype Correlation, and Prevalence Analysis in the Israeli Population.

Purpose: To review all reported disease-causing mutations in BEST1, perform genotype-phenotype correlation, and estimate disease prevalence in the Israeli population. Methods: Medical records of patients diagnosed with Best disease and allied diseases from nine Israeli medical centers over the past 20 years were collected, as were clinical data including ocular findings, electrophysiology results, and retina imaging. Mutation detection involved mainly whole exome sequencing and candidate gene analysis. Demographic data were obtained from the Israeli Bureau of Statistics (January 2023). A bibliometric study was also conducted to gather mutation data from online sources. Results: A total of 134 patients were clinically diagnosed with Best disease and related conditions. The estimated prevalence of Best disease was calculated to be 1 in 127,000, with higher rates among Arab Muslims (1 in 76,000) than Jews (1 in 145,000). Genetic causes were identified in 76 individuals (57%), primarily showing autosomal-dominant inheritance due to BEST1 mutations (58 patients). Critical conserved domains were identified consisting of a high percentage of dominant missense mutations, primarily in transmembrane domains and the intracellular region (Ca2+ binding domain) of the BEST1 protein. Conclusions: This study represents the largest cohort of patients with Best disease reported in Israel and globally. The prevalence in Israel is akin to that in Denmark but is lower than that in the United States. Critical conserved domains within the BEST1 protein are pivotal for normal functioning, and even minor missense alterations in these areas lead to a dominant disease manifestation. Genetic testing is indispensable as the gold standard for Best disease diagnosis due to the variable clinical presentation of the disease.

Borolatonin limits cognitive deficit and neuron loss while increasing proBDNF in ovariectomised rats.

BACKGROUND: Borolatonin is a potential therapeutic agent for some neuronal diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Its administration exerts ameliorative effects such as those induced by the equimolar administration of melatonin in behavioral tests on male rats and in neuronal immunohistochemistry assays. OBJECTIVE: In this study, motivated by sex differences in neurobiology and the incidence of AD, the ability of borolatonin to induce changes in female rats was assessed. METHODS: Effects of borolatonin were measured by the evaluation of both behavioral and immunohistopathologic approaches; additionally, its ability to limit amyloid toxicity was determined in vitro. RESULTS: Surprisingly, behavioral changes were similar to those reported in male rats, but not those evaluated by immunoassays regarding neuronal survival; while pro-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) immunoreactivity and the limitation of toxicity by amyloid in vitro were observed for the first time. CONCLUSION: Borolatonin administration induced changes in female rats. Differences induced by the administration of borolatonin or melatonin could be related to the differences in the production of steroid hormones in sex dependence. Further studies are required to clarify the possible mechanism and origin of differences in disturbed memory caused by the gonadectomy procedure between male and female rats.

Local Weather Station Design and Development for Cost-Effective Environmental Monitoring and Real-Time Data Sharing.

Current weather monitoring systems often remain out of reach for small-scale users and local communities due to their high costs and complexity. This paper addresses this significant issue by introducing a cost-effective, easy-to-use local weather station. Utilizing low-cost sensors, this weather station is a pivotal tool in making environmental monitoring more accessible and user-friendly, particularly for those with limited resources. It offers efficient in-site measurements of various environmental parameters, such as temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, carbon dioxide concentration, and particulate matter, including PM 1, PM 2.5, and PM 10. The findings demonstrate the station's capability to monitor these variables remotely and provide forecasts with a high degree of accuracy, displaying an error margin of just 0.67%. Furthermore, the station's use of the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model enables short-term, reliable forecasts crucial for applications in agriculture, transportation, and air quality monitoring. Furthermore, the weather station's open-source nature significantly enhances environmental monitoring accessibility for smaller users and encourages broader public data sharing. With this approach, crucial in addressing climate change challenges, the station empowers communities to make informed decisions based on real-time data. In designing and developing this low-cost, efficient monitoring system, this work provides a valuable blueprint for future advancements in environmental technologies, emphasizing sustainability. The proposed automatic weather station not only offers an economical solution for environmental monitoring but also features a user-friendly interface for seamless data communication between the sensor platform and end users. This system ensures the transmission of data through various web-based platforms, catering to users with diverse technical backgrounds. Furthermore, by leveraging historical data through the ARIMA model, the station enhances its utility in providing short-term forecasts and supporting critical decision-making processes across different sectors.

LDH-A Promotes Metabolic Rewiring in Leucocytes from the Intestine of Rats Treated with TNBS.

Although the aetiology of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) is still unknown, one of their main characteristics is that the immune system chronically affects the permeability of the intestinal lamina propria, in turn altering the composition of the microbiota. In this study, the TNBS rat model of colitis was used because it contains a complex inflammatory milieu of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and lymphocytes infiltrating the lamina propria. The aim of the present study was to investigate six dehydrogenases and their respective adaptations in the tissue microenvironment by quantifying enzymatic activities measured under substrate saturation conditions in epithelial cells and leukocytes from the lamina propria of rats exposed to TNBS. Our results show that in the TNBS group, an increased DAI score was observed due to the presence of haemorrhagic and necrotic areas in the colon. In addition, the activities of G6PDH and GADH enzymes were significantly decreased in the epithelium in contrast to the increased activity of these enzymes and increased lactate mediated by the LDH-A enzyme in leukocytes in the lamina propria of the colon. Over the past years, evidence has emerged illustrating how metabolism supports aspect of cellular function and how a metabolic reprogramming can drive cell differentiation and fate. Our findings show a metabolic reprogramming in colonic lamina propria leukocytes that could be supported by increased superoxide anion.

Utility of anti-GM-CSF antibodies in the diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: a case report.

Introduction: Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a disease characterized by the accumulation of lipoprotein-aceous material in the alveoli as a consequence of deficient processing of pulmonary surfactant. It is classified into primary, secondary, and congenital forms. Primary PAP (autoimmune origin) is characterized by the presence of antibodies against granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), while secondary PAP is due to multiple causes such as exposure to certain environmental substances. We present a case of a patient with probable mixed PAP, primary and secondary, due to exposure at the patient's workplace. Case presentation: A 35-year-old male patient attends the outpatient clinic of pulmonology due to symptoms of exertional dyspnea for one year. Pulmonary function tests are performed, and the chest X-ray reveals diffuse bilateral lung involvement with a ground-glass pattern. Incision and excision lung biopsy show findings compatible with predominant PAP in the left lower lobe (LLL). Additionally, a positive anti-GM-CSF antibody result is obtained. The patient is treated with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and nebulized sargramostim. The patient shows satisfactory progress. Discussion: The clinical, analytical, radiological, and histological manifestations were compatible with the diagnosis of autoimmune PAP, and there was suspicion of secondary PAP due to exposure to rock wool. The role of the laboratory, in this case, was essential for the diagnostic confirmation of PAP by performing the determination of anti-GM-CSF antibodies.

Prevalence and associated factors of cystoid macular edema in children with early onset inherited retinal dystrophies.

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of Cystoid macular edema (CME) in children with early onset retinal dystrophies (EORD) and to evaluate if there are associated factors and/or response to early treatment. METHODS: Consecutive, retrospective case series. Medical records of patients, 18 years or younger, diagnosed with EORD were included in the study. Optic coherence tomography (OCT) scans, clinical and genetic characteristics as well as other associated factors were analyzed. Main outcome was the presence of CME on OCT scans. RESULTS: One hundred and two children with EORD (aged 1-18 years, mean 9.7 ± 4.2) were recruited. OCT was performed in 60/102 and among them, 19/60 had CME (31.7%). The disease-causing gene was identified in 13 children with CME; autosomal-recessive inheritance was found in 88.3% of those with an identified genotype. Children with Usher syndrome had CME in 44.4% of the cases. Early treatment of CME resulted in variable response. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that 31.7% of children with EORD who underwent OCT have macular edema. CME prevalence was found to be relatively higher in children with Usher syndrome. Autosomal recessive was the most prevalent inheritance identified in the EORD group as well as in the CME group. Additional prospective research is needed to assess the efficacy of early CME treatment in pediatric EORD patients.

Dihydropyrazole-Carbohydrazide Derivatives with Dual Activity as Antioxidant and Anti-Proliferative Drugs on Breast Cancer Targeting the HDAC6.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and is the second-most common cause of death in women worldwide. Because of this, the search for new drugs and targeted therapy to treat BC is an urgent and global need. Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is a promising anti-BC drug target associated with its development and progression. In the present work, the design and synthesis of a new family of dihydropyrazole-carbohydrazide derivatives (DPCH) derivatives focused on HDAC6 inhibitory activity is presented. Computational chemistry approaches were employed to rationalize the design and evaluate their physicochemical and toxic-biological properties. The new family of nine DPCH was synthesized and characterized. Compounds exhibited optimal physicochemical and toxicobiological properties for potential application as drugs to be used in humans. The in silico studies showed that compounds with -Br, -Cl, and -OH substituents had good affinity with the catalytic domain 2 of HDAC6 like the reference compounds. Nine DPCH derivatives were assayed on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 BC cell lines, showing antiproliferative activity with IC50 at µM range. Compound 2b showed, in vitro, an IC50 value of 12 ± 3 µM on human HDAC6. The antioxidant activity of DPCH derivatives showed that all the compounds exhibit antioxidant activity similar to that of ascorbic acid. In conclusion, the DPCH derivatives are promising drugs with therapeutic potential for the epigenetic treatment of BC, with low cytotoxicity towards healthy cells and important antioxidant activity.

Global longitudinal strain is superior to ejection fraction for detecting myocardial dysfunction in end-stage renal disease with hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: The estimation of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by 2D echocardiography (2D-ECHO) is the most used tool to assess LV systolic function (LVSF). Global longitudinal strain (GLS) has recently been suggested as a superior method for several evaluations. This study explored the association and prevalence of LV systolic dysfunction (LVSD) by using these methods in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and severe hyperparathyroidism (SHPTH); both associated with cardiovascular events (CEs). AIM: To evaluate the myocardial function in patients with ESRD and SHPTH by using the GLS and LVEF measured through conventional 2D-ECHO. METHODS: In 62 patients with ESRD and SHPTH, asymptomatic, and without a history of CEs, LVSF was evaluated by 2D-ECHO, obtaining the EF, by the Simpson biplane method, and GLS by speckle tracking. RESULTS: The total patients with ESRD had a preserved LVEF (> 50%) but abnormal GLS (< 13.55%). Additionally, multivariate analysis showed an independent association of GLS and serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), LV mass index, and hemoglobin. Also, PTH was independently associated with lateral e' wave and tricuspid regurgitation velocity. CONCLUSION: In patients with SHPTH linked to ESRD, the use of GLS by 2D-ECHO is a more sensitive tool than LVEF for detecting LVSD.

Identification of autosomal recessive novel genes and retinal phenotypes in members of the solute carrier (SLC) superfamily.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the clinical and genetic aspects of solute carrier (SLC) genes in inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). METHODS: Exome sequencing data were filtered to identify pathogenic variants in SLC genes. Analysis of transcript and protein expression was performed on fibroblast cell lines and retinal sections. RESULTS: Comprehensive analysis of 433 SLC genes in 913 exome sequencing IRD samples revealed homozygous pathogenic variants in 6 SLC genes, including 2 candidate novel genes, which were 2 variants in SLC66A1, causing autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (ARRP), and a variant in SLC39A12, causing autosomal recessive mild widespread retinal degeneration with marked macular involvement. In addition, we present 4 families with ARRP and homozygous null variants in SLC37A3 that were previously suggested to cause retinitis pigmentosa, 2 of which cause exon skipping. The recently reported SLC4A7- c.2007dup variant was found in 2 patients with ARRP resulting in the absence of protein. Finally, variants in SLC24A1 were found in 4 individuals with either ARRP or congenital stationary night blindness. CONCLUSION: We report on SLC66A1 and SLC39A12 as candidate novel IRD genes, establish SLC37A3 pathogenicity, and provide further evidence of SLC4A7 as IRD genes. We extend the phenotypic spectrum of SLC24A1 and suggest that its ARRP phenotype may be more common than previously reported.

Factors influencing HPV knowledge and vaccine acceptability in parents of adolescent children: results from a survey-based study (KAPPAS study).

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections associated with a wide range of diseases and cancers that may affect both genders. Since 2007, the Spanish National Immunization Program includes HPV vaccination, and currently it only targets 12-year-old girls. The objective of our study is to assess differences in the knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccine acceptability according to different factors, and to identify the role of different sources of information. A cross-sectional, multicenter survey research was carried out in twenty-four pediatric offices in Spain, and included parents of children aged 9 to 14 years old. 1,405 valid survey-responses were considered for the analysis. Parental awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine, as well as vaccine acceptability, are still strongly associated with child gender (girls) and age (12-14 years old). HPV knowledge and HPV vaccine acceptability are related to parental gender, HPV vaccination status and having at least one daughter. Parents who consulted a healthcare source to obtain further information about HPV had greater HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge and acceptability. HPV and HPV vaccine awareness and acceptability are strongly associated with child gender and age, which correlates with the current immunization program.

The detrimental effects of delayed intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for treating retinal pathology: lessons from a forced test-case.

PURPOSE: Determine the anatomical consequences of delaying intravitreal injection (IVI) therapy with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) in patients using treat-and-extend (T&E) protocol. METHODS: Retrospective medical record review of consecutive patients receiving intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy using T&E protocol prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: The study included 923 eyes of 691patients; 58.8% (543 eyes), 25% (231 eyes), and 16.2% (149 eyes) had nvAMD, DME, and RVO, respectively. Mean (± SD) patient age was 74.5 ± 11.7 years. Overall, 56.3% of cases had a delay in therapy of ≥ 7 days; specifically, 56.2%, 61.5%, and 49.0% of nvAMD, DME, and RVO cases, respectively, had a delay. The median delay in days, among cases ≥ 7 days late was 21 (IQR 7 to 42) days, with 21(IQR 7 to 45), 22.5(IQR 8 to 42), and 14(IQR 7 to 33.5) days of delay among patients with nvAMD, DME, and RVO, respectively. Delaying therapy by ≥ 7 days resulted in increased CST in 47.5%, 58.5%, and 58.9% of nvAMD, DME, and RVO cases, respectively, with a significant correlation between the length of treatment delay and the increase in CST (Spearman's rho: 0.196; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed IVI treatment in eyes treated with T&E protocol was associated with increased macular thickness with potential consequences with respect to visual outcome.

Assessment of ethanol exposure from hand sanitizer use and potential for developmental toxicity in nursing infants.

Ingestion of ethanol during pregnancy is known to have detrimental effects on the fetus. Although the potential developmental effects of maternal ethanol intake during lactation are less well characterized, public health guidelines recommend avoidance of alcohol or, if alcohol is consumed, to allow for 1-2 h to pass before nursing. A proposal to classify ethanol as potentially harmful to breast-fed children warrants an investigation of the potential adverse neurodevelopmental effects of low-dose ethanol exposure during lactation. There currently are no studies that have examined neurodevelopmental outcomes from lactational exposure to ethanol from the use of topical products that contain ethanol, such as alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHS). Furthermore, the epidemiological literature of lactational ethanol exposures from maternal alcohol consumption is limited in design, provides equivocal evidence of neurological effects in infants, and is insufficient to characterize a dose-response relationship for developmental effects. Toxicological studies that observed neurodevelopmental effects in pups from ethanol via lactation did so at exceedingly high doses that also caused maternal toxicity. In this investigation, blood ethanol concentrations (BECs) of breastfeeding women following typical-to-intense ABHS use were computationally predicted and compared to health benchmarks to quantify the risk for developmental outcomes. Margins of 2.2 to 1000 exist between BECs associated with ABHS use compared to BECs associated with neurotoxicity adverse effect levels in the toxicology literature or oral ethanol intake per public health guidelines. Neurodevelopmental effects are not likely to occur in infants due to ABHS use by breastfeeding women, even when ABHSs are used at intense frequencies.

Blue-green neutrophilic inclusion bodies with concurrent liver failure as a predictor of imminent death.

Objectives: Blue-green, birefractory, poorly-defined, cytoplasmic inclusions in some types of leukocytes are an underdiagnosed finding, which composition and clinical significance is not well understood. Inclusions are only found on peripheral blood smear (PBS). Case presentation: We report the case of a male with a history of chronic disease (hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, and kidney failure) admitted to the emergency room (ER) with shortness of breath, who was later transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). The patient had a torpid disease course and ultimately died of multiorgan failure, including severe liver failure. When his status exacerbated, these inclusions were observed on PBS in conjunction with liver enzyme abnormalities. Conclusions: This case confirms that blue-green inclusions on PBS in cases of acute severe liver failure with concurrent lactic acidosis should be immediately reported to the medical team, since it is suggestive of critical status and poor prognosis.

SIR model of the pandemic trend of COVID-19 in Peru. / [Modelo SIR de la tendencia pandémica de COVID-19 en Perú.]

The SARS-CoV-2 virus from Europe has reached Peru on March 5 and since March 16 a state of national emergency has been declared, leading to the confinement of the entire population. The objective of this study is to characterize the epidemic evolution of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) applying the SIR model (Susceptible-Infectious-recovered or deceased) during a period of 200 days. The time series data of COVID-19 from March 06 to May 14, 2020 of the Peruvian Ministry of Health was used, presenting estimated cases by varying the basic reproduction number R0. According to the SIR model, the peak of those infected occurs shortly after May 30 from the beginning of the epidemic (day 86) where the total number of infected cases decreases to R0 = 1.5. The results suggest that Peru's current stringent measures can effectively prevent the spread of COVID-19 and should be maintained even with efficient results.

El virus SARS-CoV-2 procedente de Europa ha llegado a Perú el 5 Marzo y desde el 16 de marzo se ha declarado el estado de emergencia nacional llevando al confinamiento a toda la población. El objetivo de este estudio es caracterizar la evolución epidémica de la enfermedad de coronavirus (COVID-19) aplicando el modelo SIR (Susceptibles-Infecciosos-recuperados o fallecidos) durante un periodo de 200 días. Se utilizó los datos de series temporales de COVID-19 del 06 de marzo al 14 de mayo de 2020 del ministerio de salud peruano planteando casos estimados variando el número básico de reproducción R0. Según el modelo SIR, el pico de infectados se produce poco después del 30 de Mayo desde el inicio de la epidemia (día 86) donde disminuye el número total de casos infectados a R0=1,5. Los resultados sugieren que las estrictas medidas actuales de Perú pueden prevenir eficazmente la propagación de COVID-19 y deben mantenerse aun obteniendo resultados eficientes.

Evaluation of Cocoa Beans Shell Powder as a Bioadsorbent of Congo Red Dye Aqueous Solutions.

The use of synthetic dyes in the textile, leather, and paper industries is a source of groundwater pollution around the world. There are different methods for the treatment of wastewater that has been contaminated with dyes, among which adsorption with agro-industrial wastes is gaining relevance. In the present study, the adsorption capacity of cocoa bean shell powder was evaluated when it was used as a bioadsorbent for Congo red dye in an aqueous medium. A 24 central factorial design with central and axial points was proposed to determine the adsorption capacity. The factors that were studied were the adsorbent (0.06-0.15 g), Congo red (40-120 mg L-1), pH (3-11), and time (4-36 h). The bioadsorbent was characterized through scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The effects of the factors on the adsorption capacity for Congo red using cocoa bean shell were nonlinear, and they were modeled with a second-order polynomial (p < 0.05) and with an R2 of 0.84. The bioadsorbent obtained a maximum adsorption of 89.96% in runs. The process of optimization by using the surface response allowed the maximization of the adsorption, and the validation showed that 95.79% adsorption of the dye was obtained.

Myeloperoxidase Inhibitory and Antioxidant Activities of (E)-2-Hydroxy-α-aminocinnamic Acids Obtained through Microwave-Assisted Synthesis.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an enzyme present in human neutrophils, whose main role is to provide defenses against invading pathogens. However, highly reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as HOCl, are generated from MPO activity, leading to chronic diseases. Herein, we report the microwave-assisted synthesis of a new series of stable (E)-(2-hydroxy)-α-aminocinnamic acids, in good yields, which are structurally analogous to the natural products (Z)-2-hydroxycinnamic acids. The radical scavenging activity (RSA), MPO inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity of the reported compounds were evaluated. The hydroxy derivatives showed the most potent RSA, reducing the presence of DPPH and ABTS radicals by 77% at 0.32 mM and 100% at 0.04 mM, respectively. Their mechanism of action was modeled with BDEOH, IP and ΔEH-L theoretical calculations at the B3LYP/6 - 31 + G(d,p) level. Compounds showed in vitro inhibitory activity of MPO with IC50 values comparable to indomethacin and 5-ASA, but cytotoxicities below 15% at 100-200 µM. Docking calculations revealed that they reach the amino acid residues present in the distal cavity of the MPO active site, where both the amino and carboxylic acid groups of the α-aminopropenoic acid arm are structural requirements for anchoring. (E)-2-hydroxy-α-aminocinnamic acids have been synthesized for the first time with a reliable method and their antioxidant properties demonstrated.