Evaluation of N-Alkyl-bis-o-aminobenzamide Receptors for the Determination and Separation of Metal Ions by Fluorescence, UV-Visible Spectrometry and Zeta Potential.

This paper presents the synthesis and evaluation of physicochemical behavior of a new series of N-alkyl-bis-o-aminobenzamides (BOABs) in aqueous solution. The study was targeted to the complexing capacity of five metal ions (Fe2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Hg2+ and Pb2+) of environmental concern as the medullar principle of a liquid phase sensor for its application in the determination of these metal ions due to its versatility of use. Molecular fluorescence, UV-visible and Zeta potential were measured for five BOABs and the effect of alkyl groups with different central chain length (n = 3, 4, 6, 8 and 10) on physicochemical performance determined. The results have shown that these derivatives present higher sensibility and selectivity for Cu2+ even in the presence of the other metal ions. An additional application test was done adding a pectin (0.1 wt %) solution to the BOAB-Cu+2 complex to obtain a precipitate (flocs) as a potential selective separation process of Cu from aqueous solution. The solid was then lyophilized and analyzed by SEM-EDS, the images showed spheric forms containing Cu+2 with diameter of approximately of 8 µm and 30 wt %.

Angiostrongylus vasorum in Domestic Dogs in Castilla y León, Iberian Peninsula, Spain.

Angiostrongylus vasorum is the causative agent of canine angiostrongylosis, a disease affecting domestic and wild canids. In Europe, it is an emerging disease, mainly reported in red foxes. In Spain, there are a few studies that address the prevalence and pathology of this disease. Castilla y León is the largest region of the Iberian Peninsula, whose extensive area is 94,224 km2; however, until now, there have been no epidemiological studies on this disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the presence of antigens of A. vasorum in 1475 dogs from Castilla y León, showing an overall prevalence of 0.75%. The infected dogs were mainly outdoors, guard and hunting breed dogs and living in locations with mild climates close to areas of high edaphic humidity, such as stagnant water, irrigated crops or riverbanks, with the vegetation dominated by alders, holm oak and gall oak forests, where the intermediate hosts develop. It is necessary to carry out more in-depth studies on the epidemiology and pathology of this disease in Spain and Europe in order to carry out efficient control in both domestic and wild animals.

Metabolitos secundarios aislados de especies de la familia Myristicaceae que producen inhibición enzimática / Secondary metabolites of species of the Myristicaceae family that produce enzymatic inhibition / Metabólitos secundários isolados de espécies da família Myristicaceae que produzem inibição enzimática

RESUMEN Introducción: Diferentes especies de la familia Myristicaceae han sido utilizadas con fines medicinales, nutricionales e industriales, mostrando así la importancia y potencial de la familia en diversos campos. El uso medicinal ha sido primordial por diferentes comunidades indígenas y ha venido en aumento como alternativa al tratamiento de enfermedades, por lo cual la investigación se está concentrando en la medicina herbaria y plantas medicinales, siendo este el primer paso para el desarrollo e innovación de fármacos. Entre los tipos de fármacos se destacan los inhibidores enzimáticos, que actúan regulando procesos metabólicos o atacando patógenos. Objetivos: Recopilar información de la herboristería de la familia Myristicaceae que incluya aspectos de fitoquímica, etnobotánica, usos industriales, actividad biológica y determinar posibles metabolitos secundarios que producen inhibición enzimática y actividad biológica. Metodología: La búsqueda de información se realizó con artículos científicos, libros especializados y tesis de grado. Resultados y conclusiones: Se encontró que compuestos fenólicos de tipo: acilfenol, lignano, neolignano, flavonoide, alquenil-fenol, tocotrienol y ácido fenólico producen inhibición enzimática. Los compuestos fenólicos identificados en especies de la familia Myristicaceae son una fuente promisoria de metabolitos que producen inhibición enzimática. Siendo los metabolitos de tipo lignanos los que presentaron mayor número de estudios de inhibición enzimática. La información analizada puede servir de base para el desarrollo de investigaciones de relación estructura actividad y/o acoplamiento molecular entre metabolitos secundarios y enzimas inhibidas, con especies de la familia Myristicaceae.

SUMMARY Introduction: Different species of the Myristicaceae family have been used for medicinal, nutritional and industrial purposes, showing the importance and potential of the family in various fields. Medicinal use has been primordial for different indigenous communities and has been increasing as an alternative for the treatment of diseases, for which research is concentrating on herbal medicine and medicinal plants, being this the first step for the development and innovation of pharmaceuticals. Among the types of drugs, enzymatic inhibitors, which act by regulating metabolic processes or attacking pathogens, stand out. Objectives: To gather information on the herbalism of the Myristicaceae family including aspects of phytochemistry, ethnobotany, industrial uses, biological activity and to determine possible secondary metabolites that produce enzymatic inhibition and biological activity. Methodology: The search for information was carried out using scientific articles, specialized books and degree theses. Results and conclusions: Phenolic compounds of type: acylphenol, lignan, neolignan, flavonoid, alkenylphenol, tocotrienol and phenolic acid were found to produce enzymatic inhibition. Phenolic compounds identified in species of the Myristicaceae family are a promising source of metabolites that produce enzymatic inhibition. Lignan-type metabolites were the ones that presented the greatest number of enzymatic inhibition studies. The information analyzed can serve as a basis for the development of research on the structure-activity relationship andlor molecular coupling between secondary metabolites and inhibited enzymes, with species of the Myristicaceae family.

RESUMO Introdução: Diferentes espécies da família Myristicaceae têm sido utilizadas para fins medicinais, nutricionais e industriais, mostrando a importância e o potencial da família em vários campos. O uso medicinal tem sido de suma importância para diferentes comunidades indígenas e tem aumentado como alternativa para o tratamento de doenças, razão pela qual a pesquisa está se concentrando na medicina herbal e plantas medicinais, sendo este o primeiro passo para o desenvolvimento e inovação de produtos farmacêuticos. Entre os tipos de drogas estão os inibidores enzimáticos, que atuam regulando processos metabólicos ou atacando patógenos. Objetivos: Compilar informações sobre o herbalismo da família Myristicaceae, incluindo aspectos de fitoquímica, etnobotànica, usos industriais, atividade biológica e determinar possíveis metabolitos secundários que produzem inibição enzimática e atividade biológica. Metodologia: A busca de informações foi realizada utilizando artigos científicos, livros especializados e teses de graduação. Resultados e conclusões: Foram encontrados compostos fenólicos como: acylphenol, lignan, neolignan, flavonoid, alkenylphenol, tocotrienol e ácido fenólico para produzir inibição enzimática. Os compostos fenólicos identificados em espécies da família Myristicaceae são uma fonte promissora de meta-bólitos que produzem inibição enzimática. Os metabólitos do tipo lignano mostraram o maior número de estudos de inibição enzimática. As informações analisadas podem servir como base para o desenvolvimento de pesquisas sobre a relação estrutura-ativi-dade eIou acoplamento molecular entre metabolitos secundários e enzimas inibidas, com espécies da família Myristicaceae.

Statins and atherosclerosis: the role of epigenetics.

Atherosclerosis is an immune-inflammatory disease, in which pathophysiological mechanisms include inflammation patterns and epigenetic changes that alter gene expression of several inflammatory and non-inflammatory mediators. Epigenetics is offering explanations on how diet, environmental factors and lifestyle can influence the onset and progression of the disease, and how these alterations can be transmitted to the following generations without any changes in DNA sequences. Statins, through their pleiotropic effects, provide a useful tool in controlling the progression of plaques and their subsequent impact.

La aterosclerosis es una enfermedad de tipo inmunoinflamatoria, en la cual los mecanismos fisiopatológicos incluyen patrones de inflamación y cambios epignéticos que alteran la expresión genética de varios mediadores inflamatorios y no inflamatorios. La epigenética está ofreciendo explicaciones sobre cómo la dieta, los factores ambientales y el estilo de vida pueden influir en la aparición y progresión de la enfermedad, y cómo las alteraciones pueden ser transmitidas a las siguientes generaciones sin que haya modificaciones en las secuencias de ADN. Las estatinas, a través de los efectos pleiotrópicos, ofrecen una herramienta de gran ayuda en el control de la progresión de las placas y sus subsiguientes repercusiones.

Atención genética perinatal primaria para la prevención de los defectos del nacimiento / Attention of primary perinatal genetics for the prevention of the birth defects

Indicar la importancia del asesoramiento genético para la prevención de los defectos del nacimiento y una reproducción sana, utilizando una población blanco altamente motivada, tal como la madre de alto riesgo para defectos del nacimiento. Selección de madres de alto riesgo en la consulta prenatal, la consulta de niños sanos, el servicio de ultrasonido y el registro de malformados. Hospital Chiquinquirá de Maracaibo y consultas públicas y privadas de la región. En once años, 576 pacientes, se atendieron en la consulta de genética. La ultrasonografía realizada por el genetista, demostró ser mas eficiente (38,23 por ciento) que la realizada en el servicio de ultrasonido (11,1 por ciento),(p>0,001; prueba de Z de una cola). La atención prenatal a la madre es incompleta sin el asesoramiento genético ya que a través del mismo, es posible la selección de un 10 por ciento a un 50 por ciento de embarazos de alto riesgo para defectos fetales cuya prevención de incidencia y recurrencia es posible, con beneficios económicos cuantificables para la nación