Rheological, bioactive properties and sensory preferences of dark chocolates with partial incorporation of Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) oil.

We studied the effect of substituting partially, cocoa butter (CB) with Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) oil (SIO) on rheology, bioactive properties, and sensory preferences in potentially functional chocolate. For this 70% dark chocolates were prepared and the CB was substituted with 1.5%, 3%, and 4.5% of SIO. Hardness and viscosity of the SIO-chocolates were significantly reduced compared to the control (5451 ± 658 g; 17.01 ± 0.94 Pa s, respectively). Total phenolic content remained constant while the antioxidant capacity increased up to IC50 of 2.48 ± 0.10 as the content of SIO increased. The Casson yield stress and Casson plastic viscosity decreased as the amount of SIO increased. Chocolates with 4.5% SIO had a similar color, better glossiness, preferable snap attributes, and were more accepted (7.50 ± 0.08) compared to the control (p < 0.05), measured with a hedonic scale. Then, SIO can improve the bioactive properties of dark chocolates obtaining a potentially functional food with acceptable physicochemical characteristics. SIO can be considered as a new cocoa butter equivalent.

Synthesis and Antitumor Activity Evaluation of Compounds Based on Toluquinol.

Encouraged by the promising antitumoral, antiangiogenic, and antilymphangiogenic properties of toluquinol, a set of analogues of this natural product of marine origin was synthesized to explore and evaluate the effects of structural modifications on their cytotoxic activity. We decided to investigate the effects of the substitution of the methyl group by other groups, the introduction of a second substituent, the relative position of the substituents, and the oxidation state. A set of analogues of 2-substituted, 2,3-disubstituted, and 2,6-disubstituted derived from hydroquinone were synthesized. The results revealed that the cytotoxic activity of this family of compounds could rely on the hydroquinone/benzoquinone part of the molecule, whereas the substituents might modulate the interaction of the molecule with their targets, changing either its activity or its selectivity. The methyl group is relevant for the cytotoxicity of toluquinol, since its replacement by other groups resulted in a significant loss of activity, and in general the introduction of a second substituent, preferentially in the para position with respect to the methyl group, was well tolerated. These findings provide guidance for the design of new toluquinol analogues with potentially better pharmacological properties.

Evaluación del efecto antibacteriano del látex de Jatropha curcas "piñón" frente a Staphylococcus aureus / Evaluation of the antibacterial effect of latex Jatropha curcas "piñón" in front of Staphylococcus aureus

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto antibacteriano del látex de Jatropha Curcas "Piñón" frente a Staphylococcus aureus. El método de difusión en disco, de Kirby Bauer, fue usado en la investigación; las concentraciones del látex de Jatropha Curcas "Piñón" fueron las siguientes: 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% y 100% usando agua destilada como solvente. Se realizó análisis fitoquímico y prueba de solubilidad al látex de la planta en estudio. El látex de Jatropha Curcas "Piñón" fue muy soluble en agua destilada, etanol y metanol; además, según el análisis fitoquímico, el látex presentó flavonoides, taninos, compuestos fenólicos, alcaloides y esteroides. La concentración del látex al 40% presentó el mayor efecto antibacteriano a un nivel de confianza del 95%, y un error relativo del 5%.

The present research aims to evaluate the antibacterial effect of Jatropha Curcas latex "Piñón" against Staphylococcus aureus. The disc diffusion method of Kirby Bauer was used in the research, the concentrations of Jatropha Curcas "Piñón" latex were as follows: 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 100% using distilled water as solvent. Phytochemical analysis and solubility test were performed on the latex of the plant under study. Jatropha Curcas "Piñón" latex was very soluble in distilled water, ethanol and methanol. According to the phytochemical analysis the latex presented flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, alkaloids and steroids. The concentration of latex at 40% had the highest antibacterial effect at a 95% confidence level and a relative error of 5%.

Efecto cicatrizante del gel elaborado del látex de Croton lechleri Sangre de Drago / Healing effect of latex gel prepared with Croton lechleri Sangre de Drago

El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar el efecto cicatrizante del gel elaborado del látex de Croton lechleri "Sangre de Drago" a diferentes concentraciones (0,5%, 1% y 2%); la investigación fue experimental y de corte transversal, de nivel relacional. La recolección del látex de Croton lechleri Sangre de Drago se realizó en el distrito de Iquitos, provincia de Maynas, departamento de Loreto, Perú, ubicado a 106 msnm(metros sobre el nivel del mar). para la utilización como principio activo del gel a base de sepigel. Se necesitaron 15 ratones rattus rattus var. albinus con pesos entre 23 a 25 g. en los que se empleó el método de test de cicatrización. Los ratones fueron aclimatados y distribuidos al azar en 5 grupos de 3 ratones. Se depiló en la mitad del tercio superior del lomo de los ratones albinos para realizar las incisiones de 1 cm de longitud con un bisturí y aplicar los respectivos geles. Al octavo día del procedimiento, los ratones fueron sacrificados por sobredosis de pentobarbital sódico por vía intraperitoneal, se midió la fuerza de tensión con un dinamómetro para determinar la cicatrización de heridas, obteniéndose resultados favorables en un 95% de confianza mediante las pruebas estadísticas: ANOVA OneWay y Prueba de Tukey. Comparando los resultados se obtuvo mayor efecto cicatrizante con el gel al 2% de látex de Croton lechleri Sangre de Drago.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of scar gel prepared Croton lechleri latex Sangre de Drago at different concentrations (0.5%, 1% and 2%); the research was experimental and cross-sectional relational level. The collection of latex Croton lechleri "Sangre de Drago" was held in the district of Iquitos, Maynas province, Loreto, Peru, located at 106 meters above sea level for to be use as active ingredients Sepigel based gel. For this study were used 15 mice rattus rattus var.albinus weighing between 23-25 g. where the healing test method was employed. The mice were acclimated and randomized into 5 groups of 3 mice.These were depilated in the upper half on the back to make an incision of 1 cm long with a scalpel and then apply the respective gels.After the eighth day, the mice were sacrificed by overdose of sodium pentobarbital ofthe injury;thetensile strength was measured with a dynamometer to determine wound healing, obtaining good results in a 95% confidence through statistical tests: ANOVA one way and Tukey test. Comparing the results with the greatest healing effect was obtained gel 2% Croton lechleri latex Sangre de Drago.

Synthesis of bioactive speciosins G and P from Hexagonia speciosa.

The first total synthesis of speciosins P and G, previously isolated from Hexagonia speciosa, is reported. These compounds have been synthesized by Sonogashira coupling from readily available starting materials. Siccayne was also synthesized from the same starting material in two steps along with a number of other derivatives. The compounds were tested in the wheat coleoptile bioassay. The most active compound was the intermediate 18, followed by 29 and 17. The structural requirements for activity in these compounds are the presence of methoxy groups in the aromatic ring and a formyl or hydroxy group in the side chain.

Short antisense oligonucleotides with novel 2'-4' conformationaly restricted nucleoside analogues show improved potency without increased toxicity in animals.

The potency of second generation antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) in animals was increased 3- to 5 -fold (ED(50) approximately 2-5 mg/kg) without producing hepatotoxicity, by reducing ASO length (20-mer to 14-mer) and by employing novel nucleoside modifications that combine structural elements of 2'-O-methoxyethyl residues and locked nucleic acid. The ability to achieve this level of potency without any formulation agents is remarkable and likely to have a significant impact on the future design of ASOs as therapeutic agents.

Structure-based design, synthesis, and A-site rRNA cocrystal complexes of functionally novel aminoglycoside antibiotics: C2" ether analogues of paromomycin.

A series of 2"-O-substituted ether analogues of paromomycin were prepared based on new site-selective functionalizations. X-ray cocrystal complexes of several such analogues revealed a new mode of binding in the A-site rRNA, whereby rings I and II adopted the familiar orientation and position previously observed with paromomycin, but rings III and IV were oriented differently. With few exceptions, all of the new analogues showed potent inhibitory activity equal or better than paromomycin against a sensitive strain of S. aureus. Single digit microM MIC values were obtained against E. coli, with some of the ether appendages containing polar or basic end groups. Two analogues showed excellent survival rate in a mouse septicemia protection assay. Preliminary histopathological analysis of the kidney showed no overt signs of toxicity, while controls with neomycin and kanamycin were toxic at lower doses.

Diagnosis of Malaria by polymerase chain reaction

Malaria is no longer endemic in Puerto Rico, however, imported cases of the disease are occasionally reported to the Health Department of the Island. This is a report of a 45-year-old female patient who traveled to Kenya and Niger and was admitted to a San Juan area hospital with an 8 day history of daily chills and fever, myalgia, nausea and vomiting. Upon admission, peripheral blood displayed multiple intra-erythrocytic ring-shape trophozoites, highly suggestive of Plasmodium falciparum. The polymerase chain reaction was used as a complementary method for the detection of malaria parasites and confirmation of post-treatment parasite clearance. This report presents an imported case of malaria in Puerto Rico and showed the use of a molecular technique to diagnose Plasmodium

Etica y sociedad civil / Ethics and civil society

La bioética debe ubicarse entre dos extremos igualmente inconvenientes, uno que intenta reducir la ética a la bioética, y otro que ubica la bioética como una moda de inspiración ideológica; en este sentido, la cooperación académica debe ser el horizonte que mide los obstáculos de comunicación entre saberes y científicos, superando biologismos e historicismos desde los cuales no es posible pensar una ética ciudadana. La asunción de un pluralismo razonable, de una ética discursiva, de un concenso estrecruzado y de unos sentimientos morales, constituye un principio desde el que es posible la distinción y armonización entre mínimos éticos y máximos morales en orden a la posibilitación de una auténtica ética para ciudadanos

Hemosiderosis pulmonar idiopática: informe de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis: a case report

Introducción. La hemosiderosis pulmonar idiopática es una enfermedad causada por hemorragia capilar alveolar, de etiología desconocida, estableciéndose el diagnóstico por exclusión, ya que existen las formas secundarias. En México se han reportado sólo 34 casos. Presentación del caso clínico. Preescolar femenino de 5 años, sin antecedentes de importancia. Padecimiento de 4 meses caracterizado por palidez súbita, disnea, fiebre, tos y hemoptisis. La radiografía de tórax mostró opacidad heterogénea en apex derecho, cambiante a hemitórax izquierdo; anemia microcítica, hipocrómica y reticulocitosis; hemosiderófagos en esputo inducido, y captación parahiliar derecha con eritrocitos marcados con galio 67. Su forma secundaria de la enfermedad. Se manejó con prednisona, permaneciendo asintomática por 5 meses, falleciendo posteriormente, sin contar con mayor información. Conclusiones: Es una enfermedad rara, de difícil diagnóstico, clásicamente manifestada por la triada: anemia, hemoptisis e infiltrado alveolar difuso cambiante. La presencia de hemosiderófagos en esputo inducido orienta al diagnóstico. El pronóstico es malo a mediano plazo y no existe tratamiento específico