Endotracheal tube microbiome in hospitalized patients defined largely by hospital environment.

BACKGROUND: Studies of the respiratory tract microbiome primarily focus on airway and lung microbial diversity, but it is still unclear how these microbial communities may be affected by intubation and long periods in intensive care units (ICU), an aspect that today could aid in the understanding of COVID19 progression and disease severity. This study aimed to explore and characterize the endotracheal tube (ETT) microbiome by analyzing ETT-associated microbial communities. METHODS: This descriptive study was carried out on adult patients subjected to invasive mechanical ventilation from 2 to 21 days. ETT samples were obtained from 115 patients from ICU units in two hospitals. Bacteria isolated from endotracheal tubes belonging to the ESKAPE group were analyzed for biofilm formation using crystal violet quantification. Microbial profiles were obtained using Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. RESULTS: The ETT microbiome was mainly composed by the phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Microbiome composition correlated with the ICU in which patients were hospitalized, while intubation time and diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) did not show any significant association. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the ICU environment, or medical practices, could be a key to microbial colonization and have a direct influence on the ETT microbiomes of patients that require mechanical ventilation.

Proapoptotic Effect and Molecular Docking Analysis of Curcumin-Resveratrol Hybrids in Colorectal Cancer Chemoprevention.

Different hybrids based on curcumin and resveratrol were previously synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. The most active molecules (3a, 3e, 3i, and 3k) were evaluated in vitro as an approach to determine the possible mechanism of action of the hybrids. The results indicated that the evaluated curcumin/resveratrol hybrids induce mitochondrial instability in SW620 and SW480 cells. Moreover, these molecules caused a loss in membrane integrity, suggesting an apoptotic process mediated by caspases after the treatment with compounds 3i (SW480) and 3k (SW620). In addition, the results suggest that the mechanism of action of the hybrids could be independent of the p53 status. Furthermore, hybrids 3e and 3i caused G0/G1 phase arrest, which highlights the potential of these molecules not only as cytotoxic but also as cytostatic compounds. Hybrids 3e and 3i caused a negative modulation of the matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) on SW480 cells. These curcumin resveratrol hybrids could be potential candidates for further investigations in the search for potential chemopreventive agents, even in those cases with resistance to conventional chemotherapy because of the lack of p53 expression or function. Molecular docking simulations showed that compounds 3e, 3i, and 3k bind efficiently to proapoptotic human caspases 3/7 proteins, as well as human MMP-7 and p53, which, in turn, could explain at the molecular level the in vitro cytotoxic effect of these compounds in SW480 and SW620 colon cancer cell lines.

[Recommendations for the management of pancreatic cancer type adenocarcinoma: A consensus statement reached during the 2015 Latin American Symposium on Gastroenterological Oncology]. / Recomendaciones sobre el manejo del cáncer de páncreas tipo adenocarcinoma en Latinoamérica: Reunión del Consenso del Simposio Latinoamericano de Gastroenterología Oncológica (SLAGO) y de la Asociación Ibero Latinoamericana de Terapia Radiante (ALATRO), Viña del Mar, Chile 2015.

Pancreatic cancer is a malignancy of great impact in developed countries and is having an increasing impact in Latin America. Incidence and mortality rates are similar for this cancer. This is an important reason to offer to the patients the best treatments available. During the Latin American Symposium of Gastroenterology Oncology (SLAGO) held in Viña del Mar, Chile, in April 2015, a multidisciplinary group of specialists in the field met to discuss about this disease. The main conclusions of this meeting, where practitioners from most of Latin American countries participated, are listed in this consensus that seek to serve as a guide for better decision making for patients with pancreatic cancer in Latin America.

3-styrylcoumarin scaffold-based derivatives as a new approach for leishmaniasis intervention: biological and molecular modeling studies.

Seven 3-styrylcoumarins were tested for antileishmanial activity against Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis amastigotes. Cytotoxic activity was also evaluated against mammalian U-937 cells. The 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy coumarin derivative 6 was the most active with an IC50 of 40.5 µM, and did not reveal any conspicuous toxicity toward mammalian U-937 cells. Therefore, it may have potential to be considered as candidate for antileishmanial drug development. Further, among several druggable Leishmania targets, molecular docking studies revealed that compound 6 had docking preference by the N-myristoyltransferase (Lp-NMT) of Leishmania panamensis, showing a higher docking score of - 10.1 kcal mol-1 than positive controls and making this protein as a presumably druggable target for this compound. On the other hand, molecular dynamics simulations affirm the docking hypothesis, showing a conformational stability of the 6/Lp-NMT complex throughout 100 ns simulation. Moreover, the molecular mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann surface area method also support the docking findings, revealing a total free energy of binding of - 47.26 ± 0.08 kcal mol-1, and identifying through energy decomposition analysis that those key aminoacids are contributing strongly to ligand binding. Finally, an optimal pharmacokinetic profile was also estimated for 6. Altogether, coumarin 6 could be addressed as starting point for further pharmacological studies concerning the therapeutic leishmaniasis intervention.

Sustainable application of surfactants in soil remediation: Selective pollutants adsorption and hydrogen peroxide-driven adsorbent regeneration.

The uncontrolled disposal of the liquid lindane wastes have led to the formation of dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPL), consisting of 28 chlorinated organic compounds (COCs), contaminating soil and groundwater. Surfactant-enhanced aquifer remediation is proposed as technology to treat these sites. However, the polluted emulsion generated must be manged on-site. In this work a two-step process is applied to treat emulsion composed of E-Mulse® 3 (4 g·L-1) as surfactant and a DNAPL (2 gCOCs·L-1). In the first, the COCs were selectively adsorbed in a granular activated carbon (GAC) column with Fe (II) previously adsorbed (10-20mg·g-1) onto the carbon surface, recovering an aqueous phase with surfactant for their reuse. In the second step, the spent GAC was regenerated with a 40 g·L-1 solution of hydrogen peroxide fed to the column at 2 mL·min-1 to promote the oxidation of the COCs adsorbed in the GAC. The kinetic and adsorption model in a multisolute (surfactant and DNAPL) system has been proposed. Five successive cycles of regeneration/adsorption have been successfully applied in the column process. About 50 % of the COCs were retained from the emulsion, and more than 70 % of the surfactant was recovered. The consumption of unproductive oxidants decreased with the number of regeneration cycles. The water effluent obtained after regeneration of GAC did not present chlorinated compounds desorbed and nontoxic by-products generated, such as short-chain acids.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults With Migraine.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies have shown increased occurrence of migraine in ADHD patients. However, there is less evidence on whether migraine patients also have a higher ADHD frequency. The aim of this paper is determining whether the prevalence of ADHD symptoms or impulsivity is higher in patients with episodic migraine. METHODS: An observational cohort study has been conducted. Patients with episodic migraine were included. The ADHD Rating scale, the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, and the scale of impulsiveness of Plutchik were used. RESULTS: The mean value of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity scores on the ADHD scale was 5 ± 3.8 in cases and 2.7 ± 2.2 in controls (p < .00001), 4 ± 3.2 in cases and 2.5 ± 2.4 in controls (p = .000621) and 2 ± 1.5 in cases and 1.1 ± 1 in controls (p = .000407), respectively. CONCLUSION: Adults with migraine have a higher prevalence of ADHD symptoms. This should be considered when assessing these patients.

Three closely related thienyl-substituted 1,4-epoxynaphtho[1,2-b]azepines: hydrogen-bonded assembly in one, two and three dimensions.

(2R,4S)-2-(3-Methylthiophen-2-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,4-epoxynaphtho[1,2-b]azepine, C19H17NOS, (I), crystallizes with a single enantiomer in each crystal, whereas its geometrical isomer (2RS,4SR)-2-(5-methylthiophen-2-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,4-epoxy-naphtho[1,2-b]azepine, (II), and (2RS,4SR)-2-(5-bromothiophen-2-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,4-epoxynaphtho[1,2-b]azepine, C18H14BrNOS, (III), both crystallize as racemic mixtures. A combination of one C-H...O hydrogen bond and two C-H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds links the molecules of (I) into a three-dimensional framework; the molecules of (II) are linked into a C(4)C(4)[R2(2)(7)] chain of rings by a combination of C-H...N and C-H...O hydrogen bonds; and in (III), where Z' = 2, a combination of four C-H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds and two C-H...π(thienyl) hydrogen bonds links the molecules into complex sheets. Comparisons are made with the assembly patterns in some aryl-substituted 1,4-epoxynaphtho[1,2-b]azepines.

A hydrogen-bonded tetramer in (2RS,4SR)-7-bromo-2-(2-methylphenyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-naphtho[1,2-b]azepin-4-ol and a three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded framework in (2RS,4SR)-2-(3-methylthiophen-2-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-naphtho[1,2-b]azepin-4-ol.

(2RS,4SR)-7-Bromo-2-(2-methylphenyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-naphtho[1,2-b]azepin-4-ol, C21H20BrNO, (I), and (2RS,4SR)-2-(3-methylthiophen-2-yl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-naphtho[1,2-b]azepin-4-ol, C19H19NOS, (II), both crystallize with Z' = 2 in the space groups P2(1)/c and Cc, respectively; compound (II) crystallizes as a nonmerohedral twin, with twin fractions 0.183 (2) and 0.817 (2). The molecules of (I) are linked by O-H···O and O-H···N hydrogen bonds to form a cyclic centrosymmetric R4(4)(16) tetramer. The molecules of (II) are linked by O-H···O hydrogen bonds to form a C2(2)(4) chain and these chains are weakly linked by a single C-H···π(thienyl) interaction to form a three-dimensional array. Comparisons are made with some related compounds.

Six closely related 4,6-disubstituted 2-amino-5-formylpyrimidines: different ring conformations, polarized electronic structures, and hydrogen-bonded assembly in zero, one, two and three dimensions.

In each of ethyl N-{2-amino-5-formyl-6-[methyl(phenyl)amino]pyrimidin-4-yl}glycinate, C(16)H(19)N(5)O(3), (I), N-{2-amino-5-formyl-6-[methyl(phenyl)amino]pyrimidin-4-yl}glycinamide, C(14)H(16)N(6)O(2), (II), and ethyl 3-amino-N-{2-amino-5-formyl-6-[methyl(phenyl)amino]pyrimidin-4-yl}propionate, C(17)H(21)N(5)O(3), (III), the pyrimidine ring is effectively planar, but in each of methyl N-{2-amino-6-[benzyl(methyl)amino]-5-formylpyrimidin-4-yl}glycinate, C(16)H(19)N(5)O(3), (IV), ethyl 3-amino-N-{2-amino-6-[benzyl(methyl)amino]-5-formylpyrimidin-4-yl}propionate, C(18)H(23)N(5)O(3), (V), and ethyl 3-amino-N-[2-amino-5-formyl-6-(piperidin-4-yl)pyrimidin-4-yl]propionate, C(15)H(23)N(5)O(3), (VI), the pyrimidine ring is folded into a boat conformation. The bond lengths in each of (I)-(VI) provide evidence for significant polarization of the electronic structure. The molecules of (I) are linked by paired N-H···N hydrogen bonds to form isolated dimeric aggregates, and those of (III) are linked by a combination of N-H···N and N-H···O hydrogen bonds into a chain of edge-fused rings. In the structure of (IV), molecules are linked into sheets by means of two hydrogen bonds, both of N-H···O type, in the structure of (V) by three hydrogen bonds, two of N-H···N type and one of C-H···O type, and in the structure of (VI) by four hydrogen bonds, all of N-H···O type. Molecules of (II) are linked into a three-dimensional framework structure by a combination of three N-H···O hydrogen bonds and one C-H···O hydrogen bond.

Description of the colonizing mycobiota of endotracheal tubes from patients admitted to two intensive care units in Bogotá, Colombia / Descripción de la micobiota de los tubos endotraqueales de pacientes de unidades de cuidados intensivos en Bogotá, Colombia

Introduction. Medical device colonization by pathogenic microorganisms is a risk factor for increasing infections associated with health care and, consequently, the morbidity and mortality of intubated patients. In Colombia, fungal colonization of endotracheal tubes has not been described, and this information could lead to new therapeutic options for the benefit of patients. Objective. To describe the colonizing fungi of the endotracheal tubes from patients in the intensive care unit, along with its antifungal sensitivity profile. Materials and methods. We conducted a descriptive, observational study in two health centers for 12 months. Endotracheal tubes were collected from patients in intensive care units. Samples were processed for culture, fungi identification, and antifungal sensitivity profile assessment. Results. A total of 121 endotracheal tubes, obtained from 113 patients, were analyzed: 41.32 % of the tubes were colonized by Candida albicans (64.62%), C. non­albicans (30.77%), Cryptococcus spp. (3.08%) or molds (1.54%). All fungi evaluated showed a high sensitivity to antifungals, with a mean of 91%. Conclusion. Fungal colonization was found in the endotracheal tubes of patients under invasive mechanical ventilation. The antifungal sensitivity profile in these patients was favorable. A clinical study is required to find possible correlations between the colonizing microorganisms and infectivity.

Introducción. La colonización por microorganismos patógenos de los dispositivos médicos usados en las unidades de cuidados intensivos es un factor de riesgo para el aumento de infecciones asociadas con la atención en salud y, por lo tanto, al de la morbilidad y la mortalidad de los pacientes intubados. En Colombia, no se ha descrito la colonización por hongos de los tubos endotraqueales, con lo cual se podrían considerar nuevas opciones terapéuticas para el beneficio de los pacientes. Objetivo. Describir los hongos que colonizan los tubos endotraqueales de los pacientes en unidades de cuidados intensivos, junto con su perfil de sensibilidad a los antifúngicos. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, en dos centros hospitalarios durante 12 meses. Se recolectaron tubos endotraqueales de pacientes de las unidades de cuidados intensivos. Estos fueron procesados para cultivar e identificar hongos, y para establecer su perfil de sensibilidad a los antifúngicos. Resultados. Se analizaron 121 tubos endotraqueales obtenidos de 113 pacientes. De estos, el 41,32 % se encontró colonizado por los hongos Candida albicans (64,61 %), C. no-albicans (30,77 %), Cryptococcus spp. (3,08 %) o mohos (1,54 %). Todos los hongos evaluados presentaron una gran sensibilidad a los antifúngicos, con un promedio del 91 %. Conclusión. Se encontró colonización fúngica en los tubos endotraqueales de pacientes con asistencia respiratoria mecánica. El perfil de sensibilidad en estos pacientes fue favorable. Se requiere un estudio clínico para correlacionar los microorganismos colonizadores y su capacidad de generar infección.

Sustainable reuse of toxic spent granular activated carbon by heterogeneous fenton reaction intensified by temperature changes.

A common strategy for removing highly toxic organic compounds, such as chlorinated organic compounds, is their adsorption on granular activated carbon. Spent granular activated carbon results in a toxic residue to manage; therefore, the regeneration and reuse of granular activated carbon on the site would be advisable. This work studies the regeneration of a granular activated carbon saturated in 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, chosen as the model chlorinated organic compounds, by heterogeneous Fenton, where iron was previously immobilised on the granular activated carbon surface. This methodology avoids the addition of iron to the aqueous phase at concentrations above the allowable limits and the need for acidification. Three successive cycles of adsorption-regeneration were carried out batchwise (5 gGAC·L-1) with a granular activated carbon saturated with 300 mg124-TCB·gGAC-1. The recovery of the adsorption capacity after regeneration was studied with H2O2 (166 mM, 1.5 the stoichiometric dosage), at different concentrations adsorbed with iron adsorbed concentrations (0-12 mgFe·gGAC-1) and temperatures (20-80 °C). Stable recovery of the adsorption capacity values of 65% were obtained at 180 min with 12 mgFe·gGAC-1 and 60 °C. The porosity and surface chemistry of the adsorbent remained very similar after different adsorption-regeneration cycles without iron leaching into the aqueous phase. The oxidant consumption was close to the stoichiometric value for the mineralization of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, with a low unproductive consumption of H2O2 with granular activated carbon. In addition, no aromatic or chlorinated by-products were detected in the aqueous solution obtained in the regeneration process. The negligible toxicity of the aqueous phase with the Microtox bioassay confirmed the absence of toxic oxidation by-products.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine by cancer patients in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: The use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) among cancer patients varies greatly. The available data suggest an increasing use of CAM over time and a higher prevalence in low- and middle-income countries. However, no reliable data are available from Latin America. Accordingly, we examined the prevalence of CAM use among cancer patients from six Colombian regions. METHODS: We conducted a survey on cancer patients attending comprehensive cancer centres in six capital cities from different regions. The survey was designed based on a literature review and information gathered through focus groups on CAM terminology in Colombia. Independent random samples of patients from two comprehensive cancer centres in every city were obtained. Patients 18 years and older with a histopathological diagnosis of cancer undergoing active treatment were eligible. The prevalence of CAM use is reported as a percentage with the corresponding confidence interval. CAM types are reported by region. The sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of CAM users and non-users were compared using Chi square and t tests. RESULTS: In total, 3117 patients were recruited. The average age 59.6 years old, and 62.8% were female. The prevalence of CAM use was 51.7%, and compared to non-users, CAM users were younger, more frequently women, affiliated with the health insurance plan for low-income populations and non-Catholic. We found no differences regarding the clinical stage or treatment modality, but CAM users reported more treatment-related side effects. The most frequent types of CAM were herbal products, specific foods and vitamins, and individually, soursop was the most frequently used product. Relevant variability between regions was observed regarding the prevalence and type of CAM used (range: 36.6% to 66.7%). The most frequent reason for using CAM was symptom management (30.5%), followed by curative purposes (19.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CAM use among cancer patients in Colombia is high in general, and variations between regions might be related to differences in cultural backgrounds and access to comprehensive cancer care. The most frequently used CAM products and practices have little scientific support, suggesting the need to enhance integrative oncology research in the country.

Clinical Outcomes and Prognostic Factors of Patients With Early Malignant Melanoma in One Latin American Country: Results of the Epidemiological Registry of Malignant Melanoma in Colombia Study.

To describe the population with early malignant melanoma, we performed a cohort study on the basis of the Epidemiological Registry of Malignant Melanoma in Colombia-Asociacion Colombiana de Hematologia y Oncologia. From January 2011 until December 2021, 759 patients were included; the average age was 66 years, 57% were women, acral lentiginous histology was found in 27.8% of patients, and the median follow-up was 36.5 months. The prognostic factors for overall survival in our population are Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 3-4 (hazard ratio [HR], 13.8), stage III (HR, 5.07), received radiotherapy (HR, 3.38), ulceration on histology (HR, 2.68), chronic sun exposure (HR, 2.3), low income (HR, 2.04), previous local surgery (HR, 0.27), and have received adjuvant treatment (HR, 0.41).

(2RS,4SR)-7-bromo-2-exo-(2-chlorophenyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,4-epoxynaphtho[1,2-b]azepine: sheets built by the π-stacking of hydrogen-bonded chains.

The molecules of the title compound, C(20)H(15)BrClNO, are linked into chains by a C-H...π(arene) hydrogen bond, in which the acceptor is the brominated ring of the naphthalene unit, and these chains are linked by an aromatic π-π stacking interaction, again involving the naphthalene unit, into a sheet structure.

2-Amino-6-methoxy-4-(4-methylanilino)-5-nitrosopyrimidine and ethyl N-[4-(adamantan-1-ylamino)-2-amino-5-nitrosopyrimidin-6-yl]-3-aminopropionate: polarized electronic structures and hydrogen-bonded supramolecular assembly in one and two dimensions.

In both 2-amino-6-methoxy-4-(4-methylanilino)-5-nitrosopyrimidine, C(12)H(13)N(5)O(2), (I), and ethyl N-[4-(1-adamantylamino)-2-amino-5-nitrosopyrimidin-6-yl]-3-aminopropionate, C(19)H(28)N(6)O(3), (II), the nitrosopyrimidine unit is planar and the bond distances provide evidence for significant polarization of the electronic structures. In (II), the ethoxycarbonyl fragment of the molecule is disordered over two sets of sites with occupancies of 0.910 (4) and 0.090 (4). In the molecules of both compounds, there is an intramolecular N-H···O hydrogen bond. The molecules of (I) are linked into a chain of rings by a combination of N-H···O and C-H···O hydrogen bonds, while the molecules of (II) are linked by a two-centre N-H···N hydrogen bond and a three-centre N-H···(N,O) hydrogen bond to form sheets containing four distinct types of ring.

Novel Multipotent Amantadine-M30D Hybrids with Highly Selective Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibition and Neuroprotective Effects as Effective Anti-Alzheimer's Agents.

As a contribution to the development of new dual/multifunctional drugs, a novel therapeutical scaffold merging key structural features from memantine and M30D was designed, synthesized, and explored for its AChE/BuChE inhibitory activity and neuroprotective effects. All synthetized hybrids were not able to inhibit AChE, but most of them exhibit inhibition with high selectivity toward butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). Notably, among the tested compounds, amantadine/M30D hybrids with six, seven, nine, and twelve methylene groups in the spacer (5d, 5e, 5f, and 5g) not only highlighted having the best potency and selective butyrylcholinesterase inhibition greater than 83% but also, particularly 5e and 5d, elicited considerable neuroprotection when evaluated in pretreatment conditions, by reducing injury effects caused by glutamate with maximum protection reached about 47.82 ± 0.81% (5e) and 42 ± 2.20% (5d) in comparison with memantine (37.27 ± 2.69%). Likewise, we chose 5e as the hit compound, which in a glutamate excitotoxity coculture model prevented astroglia reactivity and neuronal death, as well as a 91% restoration of calcium levels and an increasing ATP level in both pre-/post-treatments of 61.48 ± 4.60 and 45.16 ± 10.55%, respectively. Regarding docking studies, a blockade of the NMDA channel pore by 5e would explain its neuroprotective response. Finally, the hit compound 5e exhibited in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and human plasma stability, as well as an optimal in silico neuropharmacokinetic profile. From a therapeutic perspective, merging key pharmacophoric features from memantine and M30D provides a new medicinal scaffold with dual-/multifunctional properties and human plasma stability for the future development of potential drugs for treating AD.

Regeneration of Granulated Spent Activated Carbon with 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene Using Thermally Activated Persulfate.

Chlorinated organic compounds (COCs) are persistent organic pollutants often found in groundwater near industrial sites or in industrial wastewaters. Adsorption into activated carbon is a common strategy to remediate these waters, but spent activated carbon results in a toxic residue to manage. To avoid the transport of the chlorinated compounds out of the site, the in-situ regeneration of the spent activated carbon can be considered for reuse to implement a circular economy. In this work, the regeneration of a commercial granular activated carbon (GAC) has been carried out using thermally activated sodium persulfate (TAP). GAC was previously saturated in 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (124-TCB) as the model compound. The initial adsorption value was 350 mg124-TCB·gGAC -1. First, the nonproductive consumption of sodium persulfate was studied at different temperatures using nonsaturated GAC. Then, the regeneration of the saturated GAC (5 g) was studied by an aqueous solution (166 mM) of TAP (1 L) at a temperature range from 20 to 80 °C. The possible recovery of the adsorption capacity was studied after 3 h of treatment in three successive adsorption-regeneration cycles at the selected temperature (60 °C). The physicochemical changes of the GAC were also investigated before and after the regeneration treatments. The results evidence the significant deposition of sulfate on the GAC after each treatment of regeneration, which avoids the recovery of the initial adsorption capacity. Therefore, each regeneration cycle was necessarily followed by a washing step at 60 °C to remove this sulfate. After that, the regeneration treatment achieved a stable and high recovery of the initial adsorption capacity of about 48.2%.

Promising Hybrids Derived from S-Allylcysteine and NSAIDs Fragments against Colorectal Cancer: Synthesis, In-vitro Evaluation, Drug-Likeness and In-silico ADME/tox Studies.

We synthesized twelve hybrids, S-allyl Cysteine methyl, ethyl and propyl ester-based non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. The chemopreventive potential of all compounds was evaluated against SW480 human colon adenocarcinoma cells and the non-malignant CHO-K1 cell line. Among the tested compounds, hybrids 10b-c, 11b and 12b displayed the best anticancer activity with IC50 values between 0.131-0.183 mM and selectivity indices higher than 1 after 48 h of treatment. Selectivity indices were comparable to those reported for the reference drug, 5-fluorouracil (SI > 1). The SAR analysis showed that compounds with two carbon atom alkylic chains displayed the best activity (10b, 11b and 12b). Modeling studies including drug-likeness, bioactivity score and ADME/tox studies using online tools like molinspiration and Osiris suggested that these designed hybrids have a good pharmacological profile and can be considered as promising scaffolds for further studies in the search for new therapeutic alternatives to treat colorectal cancer.

Ring conformations and intermolecular interactions in two fused dibenzoazocines.

5-Acetyl-2-chloro-8,11-dimethyl-5,6,11,12-tetrahydrodibenzo[b,f]azocine, C(19)H(20)ClNO, (I), crystallizes as a single fully ordered isomer, but 14-acetyl-8,11-dimethyl-7,8,13,14-tetrahydrobenzo[f]naphtho[1,2-b]azocine-14-acetyl-8,9-dimethyl-7,8,13,14-tetrahydrobenzo[f]naphtho[1,2-b]azocine (74/26), C(23)H(23)NO, (II), exhibits threefold whole-molecule disorder involving both configurational and structural isomers. In (I) and in the predominant form of (II), the azocine rings adopt very similar conformations, forming boat-shaped rings having approximate twofold rotational symmetry. There are no direction-specific intermolecular interactions in the crystal structure of (I), but the molecules of (II) are weakly linked into chains by an aromatic pi-pi stacking interaction. The compounds were made under green conditions using an acid-catalysed cyclization process having very high atom utilization.

Real-time ultrasound-guided thoracentesis in the intensive care unit: prevalence of mechanical complications.

BACKGROUND: The use of thoracic ultrasound during thoracentesis reduces complications. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of complications for real-time ultrasound-guided thoracentesis performed by intensivists. As a secondary objective, the change in oxygenation before and after the procedure was evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An observational prospective study was conducted. A total of 81 cases of real-time ultrasound-guided thoracentesis performed by intensivists in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Méderi Major University Hospital, Bogotá, Colombia, between August 2018 and August 2019 were analyzed. Thoracentesis performed by interventional radiologists and using techniques different from the focus of this study were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS: There was one pneumothorax, for a prevalence rate of mechanical complications in this population of 1.2%. The mean partial oxygen pressure to inspired oxygen fraction ratio (PaO2/FiO2) prior to the procedure was 198.1 (95% CI 184.75-211.45), with a PaO2/FiO2 after the procedure of 224.6 (95% CI 213.08-226.12) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Real-time ultrasound-guided thoracentesis performed by intensivists is a safe procedure and leads to a significant improvement in oxygenation rates. Future studies are required to determine the impact of these results on other outcomes, such as mortality, ICU stay, and days of mechanical ventilation.