Preliminary research on metalized phthalocyanines synthesis. Evaluation as potential photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy

SUMMARY Introduction: Phthalocyanines are porphyrin-based dyes. They have plenty applications in different fields, including biomedical and chemical research. From a chemical point of view, Phthalocyanines are macrocyclictetraaza compounds, which mainly are made up of isoindol groups that confer aromaticity and planarity on Phthalocyanine structure. Unlike other kinds of porphyrin compounds, Phthalocyanine structure is able to chelate a lot of metals, which more often contribute to their huge variety of functions, including ROS generation, fluorescence, absorption spectra, and others. Aim: To evaluate phthalocyanines compounds owing their excellent photochemical and pharmaceutical properties that explain their wide use at the clinical and medical level. Methodology: We have carried out a meticulous search for scientific works related to the subject between April 2020 and April 2021, the most of them were written in English. As a result, we can say that, for studying Phthalocyanines' properties, the work can be separated into two issues: synthesis of the metalized phthalocyanines and photochemical and photobiological properties. Results: Phthalocyanines have plenty properties that are desirable to biomedical and pharmaceutical research. Because of their photochemical and photobiological properties, as well as ROS generation, Phthalocyanines are one of the photosenstitizers most widely used in photodynamic therapy. They also have antibacterial, antiviral and anticancer activities. In this sense, Phthalocyanine synthesis and in vitro studies are a very important scientific issue.

Introducción: las ftalocianinas son tintes porfirínicos. Tienen muchas aplicaciones en diferentes campos, incluida la investigación biomédica y química. Desde el punto de vista químico, las ftalocianinas son compuestos macrocíclicos de tetraaza. Se componen principalmente de grupos isoindol que confieren aromaticidad y planaridad a la estructura de la ftalocianina. Esta última es capaz de quelar muchos metales, que con mayor frecuencia contribuyen a su gran variedad de funciones, incluida la generación de EROS, la fluorescencia, los espectros de absorción y otros. Objetivo: evaluar algunos derivados de ftalocianinas gracias a las excelentes propiedades fotoquímicas y farmacéuticas que explican su amplio uso a nivel clínico y médico. Metodología: hemos realizado una búsqueda minuciosa de trabajos científicos relacionados con el tema entre abril de 2020 y abril de 2021, la mayoría de ellos escritos en inglés. Como resultado, podemos decir que, para estudiar las propiedades de las ftalocianinas, el trabajo se puede dividir en dos temas: síntesis de las ftalocianinas metalizadas y propiedades fotoquímicas y ffotobiológicas. Resultados: las ftalocianinas tienen muchas propiedades que son deseables para la investigación biomédica y farmacéutica. Por sus propiedades fotoquímicas y fotobiológicas, así como por la generación de EROS, las ftalocianinas son uno de los fotosensibilizadores más utilizados en terapia fotodinámica. También tienen actividades antibacterianas, antivirales y anticancerígenas. En este sentido, la síntesis de ftalocianina y los estudios in vitro son un tema científico muy importante.

Introdução: as ftalocianinas são corantes à base de porfirinas. Eles têm muitas aplicações em diferentes campos, incluindo pesquisas biomédicas e químicas. Do ponto de vista químico, as ftalocianinas são compostos macrocíclicos tetraaza, que são constituídos principalmente por grupos isoindol que conferem aromaticidade e planaridade à estrutura das ftalocianinas. Ao contrário de outros tipos de compostos de porfirina, a estrutura da ftalocianina é capaz de quelar uma grande quantidade de metais, que mais frequentemente contribuem para sua enorme variedade de funções, incluindo geração de ROS, fluorescência, espectro de absorção e outros. Objetivo: avaliar alguns derivados de ftalocianinas graças às excelentes propriedades fotoquímicas e farmacêuticas que explicam a sua ampla utilização a nível clínico e médico. Metodologia: efetuamos uma busca minuciosa de trabalhos científicos relacionados ao assunto entre abril de 2020 e abril de 2021, a maioria deles redigidos na língua inglesa. Como resultado, podemos dizer que, para estudar as propriedades das ftalocianinas, o trabalho pode ser dividido em duas questões: síntese das ftalocianinas metalizadas e propriedades fotoquímicas e fotobiológicas. Resultados: as ftalocianinas têm muitas propriedades desejáveis para a pesquisa biomédica e farmacêutica. Pelas suas propriedades fotoquímicas e fotobiológicas, além da geração de ROS, as ftalocianinas são um dos ffotossensibilizantes mais amplamente utilizados na terapia fotodinàmica e processos fototóxicos. Eles também têm atividades antibacteriana, antiviral e anticàncer. Nesse sentido, a síntese de ftalocianina e os estudos in vitro são uma questão científica muito importante.

[Identification of Leishmania species in patients and phlebotomines in transmission areas in a region of Peru]. / Identificación de especies de Leishmania en pacientes y flebotominos en áreas de transmisión en una región del Perú.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the species of Leishmania present in the skin lesions of patients and Lutzomyias living in endemic areas of La Libertad, Peru. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Molecular methods based on PCR and RFLP were used, which allowed to have efficient data with small amounts of samples (small specimens), due to their high sensitivity and ease of application in the field work. RESULTS: The results of PCR of clinical samples of patients and insect vectors showed the presence of Leishmania (V.) peruviana as a major causative agent of andean leishmaniasis transmitted by Lutzomyia peruensis. The presence of Leishmania (V.) guyanensis in Lutzomyia ayacuchensis, was found as well. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of L. (V.) peruviana and L. (V.) guyanensis in the Andean areas under study was found. These findings remark the need of a wider research about the geographical distribution of L. (V.) guyanensis and clinical features related to the infection in endemic areas of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Identificación de especies de Leishmania en pacientes y flebotominos en áreas de transmisión en una región del Perú / Identification of Leishmania species in patients and phlebotomines in transmission areas in a region of Perú

Objetivos. Identificar las especies de Leishmania presentes en las lesiones cutáneas del paciente y en las Lutzomyias que cohabitan en las áreas endémicas de la región La Libertad en el Perú. Materiales y métodos. Se usaron métodos moleculares basados en PCR y RFLP lo cual permitió obtener datos eficientes con poca muestra (pequeños especímenes), debido a su alta sensibilidad y las facilidades de aplicación en el trabajo de campo. Resultados. Los resultados del PCR de pacientes y de vectores, mostraron la presencia de Leishmania (V.) peruviana como principal agente causal de la Leishmaniosis tipo andina, transmitidas por Lutzomyia peruensis. Así mismo, se reveló la presencia de Leishmania (V.) guyanensis en Lutzomyia ayacuchensis. Conclusiones. Se mostró la presencia de L. (V.) peruviana y L. (V.) guyanensis en las áreas andinas en estudio. Hallazgos que exigen realizar una investigación más amplia sobre la distribución geográfica de L. (V.) guyanensis y las características clínicas relacionadas con la infección en áreas endémicas de Leishmaniosis cutánea.

Objectives. To identify the species of Leishmania present in the skin lesions of patients and Lutzomyias living in endemic areas of La Libertad, Peru. Materials and methods. Molecular methods based on PCR and RFLP were used, which allowed to have efficient data with small amounts of samples (small specimens), due to their high sensitivity and ease of application in the field work. Results. The results of PCR of clinical samples of patients and insect vectors showed the presence of Leishmania (V.) peruviana as a major causative agent of andean leishmaniasis transmitted by Lutzomyia peruensis. The presence of Leishmania (V.) guyanensis in Lutzomyia ayacuchensis, was found as well. Conclusions. The presence of L. (V.) peruviana and L. (V.) guyanensis in the Andean areas under study was found. These findings remark the need of a wider research about the geographical distribution of L. (V.) guyanensis and clinical features related to the infection in endemic areas of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Natural infections of man-biting sand flies by Leishmania and Trypanosoma species in the northern Peruvian Andes.

The natural infection of sand flies by Leishmania species was studied in the Andean areas of Peru where cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Viannia) peruviana is endemic. Sand flies were captured by human bait and Center for Disease Control (CDC) light trap catches at Nambuque and Padregual, Department of La Libertad, Peru, and morphologically identified. Among 377 female sand flies dissected, the two dominant man-biting species were Lutzomyia (Helcocyrtomyia) peruensis (211 flies) and Lutzomyia (Helcocyrtomyia) caballeroi (151 flies). Another sand fly species captured by light trap was Warileya phlebotomanica (15 flies). The natural infection of sand flies by flagellates was detected in 1.4% of Lu. (H.) peruensis and 2.6% of Lu. (H.) caballeroi, and the parasite species were identified as Le. (V.) peruviana and Trypanosoma avium, respectively, by molecular biological methods. The results indicated that the vector species responsible for the transmission of leishmaniasis in the study areas is Lu. (H.) peruensis. In addition, the presence of Trypanosoma in man-biting sand fly species means that more careful consideration is necessary for vector research in areas of Andean Peru where leishmaniasis is endemic.

Synthesis, photochemical and photoinduced antibacterial activity studies of meso-Tetra(pyren-1-yl)porphyrin and its Ni, Cu and Zn complexes.

The synthesis of the meso-tetra(pyren-1-yl)porphyrin (1) was successfully accomplished by means of the pyrrole condensation with pyrene-1-carb-aldehyde in acidic media. Its metallization was carried out in an almost quantitative yield to obtain the corresponding complexes of Ni(II) (2), Cu(II) (3) and Zn (4). Their photophysical properties such as fluorescence quantum yield and energy transfer to oxygen for an efficient generation of singlet oxygen were determined. Their photophysical and photochemical properties were compared with those of other similar porphyrin derivatives such as tetraphenylporphyrin and tetranaphthylporphyrin. Photochemical studies on their effectiveness as photosensitizer were carried out by means of the photoinduced oxidation of aromatic alcohols like Î-naphthol to naphthoquinone. The antibacterial photoactivity assay for compounds 1â4 was testeted against Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739) and its proliferation and viability were measured by chemiluminescence. An efficient inactivation of E. coli was observed. This was more efficient for compounds 2 and 3, following the direct relationship to high generation of singlet oxygen by these compounds.

Synthesis, primary photophysical and antibacterial properties of naphthyl ester cinoxacin and nalidixic acid derivatives.

We have synthesized two naphthyl ester quinolone derivates and determined their ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as (1)O(2), ()OH, H(2)O(2) upon photolysis with UV-A light. The ability of cinoxacin (1) and nalidixic acid (2), and their naphthyl ester derivatives (3 and 4) to generate a dose-dependent amount of singlet oxygen and ROS (()(-)O(2), ()OH) in cell-free systems was detected by histidine assay and by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (LCL), respectively. Their electronic absorption and emission spectra were quantified and their photostability was determined. Their tendency to generate peroxidic derivative species showed the following order: 3>4; in contrast, their ability to generate singlet oxygen was 4>3 and these were better sensitizers than their parent quinolones 1 and 2. The antibacterial activity in darkness and under irradiation of compounds 3 and 4 was tested on Escherichia coli and compared with that of their parent compounds. An enhanced antibacterial activity by irradiation of the naphthyl esters of cinoxacin and nalidixic acid on E. coli was observed.

Comparative antiviral (HIV) photoactivity of metalized meso- tetraphenylsulfonated porphyrins.

We have carried out the study of the photochemical properties of a series of synthetic meso-tetraphenylsulfonated porphyrins (TPPMS4) bonded to several metal ions such as: Cu(II), Zn(II), Pd(II), Mn(II), Fe(III), Ni(II) and Co(II) for the optimization of their clinical applications as antiviral agents against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) as well as the study of the in vitro antiviral photoinactivation mechanisms with future application in blood sterilization. A selective inhibition has been determined in the viral growth (HIV-1) when this is irradiated in the presence of the complex TPPFeS4 and TPPMnS4 (photosensitizer-mediated Type I reaction) as well as in the 1O2-mediated (Type II reaction) in the presence of TPPPdS4 and TPPZnS4, remaining cellular viability unaltered in each case.

Identification of New World Leishmania species from Peru by biochemical techniques and multiplex PCR assay.

We have characterized diverse strains or species of Leishmania isolated in humans that are currently circulating throughout Peru, by means of isoenzymatic characterization, kDNA analysis by restriction enzymes, and multiplex PCR assay. The cluster analysis gave five groups. Cluster 1 includes L. (L.) donovani together with the isolates LP4 and LP7, forming the donovani complex. Thus, this complex corresponds to the New World visceral form, L. (L.) chagasi. Cluster 2 is formed by the isolates LP1-LP3, LP6, LP10, LP9, and LP11, phylogenetically intermediate between Cluster 1 and Cluster 3, or they can be treated as hybrids. Cluster 3 is divided into two subgroups: one formed by L. (V.) peruviana, together with the isolates LP14 and LP5, and the second one formed by L. (V.) brazilensis and the isolate LP8. These two subgroups form part of the brazilensis complex. The three strains of L. (L.) infantum [L. (L.) infantum I and II and la LSI] make up Cluster 4. In Cluster 5, we include the three Mexican strains (LM1-LM3) forming one subgroup while we would place L. (L.) amazonensis in another subgroup. These two subgroups would comprise the complex mexicana.

UV-Vis spectrophotometrical and analytical methodology for the determination of singlet oxygen in new antibacterials drugs.

We have determined and quantified spectrophotometrically the capacity of producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) as (1)O(2) during the photolysis with UV-A light of 5 new synthesized naphthyl ester derivates of well-known quinolone antibacterials (nalidixic acid (1), cinoxacin (2), norfloxacin (3), ciprofloxacin (4) and enoxacin (5)). The ability of the naphthyl ester derivatives (6-10) to generate singlet oxygen were detecting and for the first time quantified by the histidine assay, a sensitive, fast and inexpensive method. The following tendency of generation of singlet oxygen was observed: compounds 7 > 10 > 6 > 8 > 9 >> parent drugs 1-5.

Identification and biochemical characterization of Leishmania strains isolated in Peru, Mexico, and Spain.

Eight Leishmania promastigotes were isolated from different geographical areas: three (LP1, LP2, and LP3) from the provincial department La Libertad and the fourth (LP4) from the department of Cajamarca (northern Peru); another three (LM1, LM2, and LM3) in the province of Campeche (Mexico); and the last (LS1) from a clinical case of a dog in Madrid (Spain). The isolates were characterized by carbohydrate cell-surface residues using agglutinations with four purified lectins, by isoenzyme analysis using different isoenzymes, by analysis of kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) restriction fragment length polymorphism using four different restriction endonucleases and by the final metabolite patterns after in vitro culture. These isolates were compared with four reference strains and typified as: Leishmania (Leishmania) donovani, two strains of L. (L.) infantum, and one species of L. (Viania) peruviana. According to our results and the statistical study, the Peruvian isolates represent three different strains: one would be L. (V.) peruviana, another the strain isolated in Cajamarca (LP4) and the third would include the three strains from the department of La Libertad (LP1, LP2, and LP3), these latter three isolates being phylogenetically closer to the reference strain L. (L.) donovani. Meanwhile, the three isolates from Mexico form a group with close phylogenetic relationships to each other. The isolate from Spain belongs to the species L. (L.) infantum. Thus, a close correlation was drawn between the identity of each strain and its geographical origin.

Caracterización de tierras de la unidad experimental reserva forestal de ticoporo Barinas Venezuela con fines de ordenamiento / Soil characterization for land-use planning in the experimental unit of the ticoporo forestry reserve Barinas Venezuela

Se estudió una superficie de 24000ha de tierra en la Unidad Experimental de la Reserva Forestal de Ticoporo, estado Barinas, Venezuela. Estas tierras presentan suelos de incipiente evolución: Entisoles, Inceptisoles y Molisoles (17506ha) y de moderada evolución: Alfisoles (6498ha). Se establecieron áreas potenciales para el desarrollo de los sistemas agroforestales y silvopastoriles, basados en el levantamiento de suelos a una escala 1:20000 y tomando en cuenta parámetros tales como vegetación, clima, zona de vida y geomorfología. Se consideró también una serie de características de uso tales como tamaño de las parcelas, mano de obra, tenencia y cultivos desde el punto de vista cualitativo. Del estudio resultó que las capacidades de uso de las tierras, manifiestas en el área donde se propone el desarrollo de sistemas agroforestales, corresponden a las clases II (8385,2ha), III (5445,6ha), IV (3674,9ha) y V (6866,4ha). Para el sistema Silvopastoril, las tierras de la clase II cubren 10195,9ha, las de la clase III cubren 3703,3ha y las de las clases IV y V cubren 10205,7ha

Resistencia a deltametrina en dos poblaciones de Aedes aegypti (Diptera, Culicidae) del Perú

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar el nivel de resistencia a deltametrina en dos poblaciones de Aedes aegypti del Perú. Los bioensayos se realizaron en adultos siguiendo la metodología de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Se encontró resistencia en la población de mosquitos procedentes de Sullana con un 70% de mortalidad y susceptibilidad en la población procedente de El Porvenir con 99% de mortalidad.

The objective of the present work was to determine the resistance levels to deltamethrine in two populations of Aedes aegypti from Peru. Bioassays in adults were carried out following the methodology of the World Health Organization. We met resistance in the Sullana population with 70% of mortality and susceptibility in the population The Future El Porvenir with 99% of mortality.

Niveles de susceptibilidad a temefos en el vector transmisor del dengue en Trujillo, Perú / Dengue's transmittign vector susceptibility to temephos, Trujillo, Peru

Objetivo: Determinar los niveles de resistencia a temefos en poblaciones de Aedes aegypti de la provincia de Trujillo. Material y Métodos: Los bioensayos en larvas siguieron la metodología de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Se empleó larvas del tercer o cuarto estadio temprano de cada población, incluyendo la cepa de referencia Rockefeller. Se usó 5 réplicas de cada concentración del insecticida, produciéndose mortalidades entre 2 y 98 por ciento . Resultados: Se encontró susceptibles a temefos a todas las poblaciones evaluadas, mostrando mayor factor de resistencia la población de Florencia de Mora, con un valor de 3,05 X. Conclusión: Se sugiere realizar monitoreos continuos de resistencia a temefos en poblaciones de A. aegypti para brindar información necesaria que ayude a la toma de decisiones sobre el uso correcto de este insecticida.

Las aplicaciones clínicas de fototerapia / The aplication phototherapy clinics

Esta revisión está fundamentalmente enfocada a los conceptos básicos de fototerapia y sus aplicaciones clínicas. Ha sido dividida en dos aspectos importantes: la fototerapia clásica y la terapia fotodinámica. Aquí se describen sus aplicaciones importantes relacionadas al tratamiento de enfermedades de la piel, sus ventajas así como también sus desventajas

Photodegradation pathways and the in vitro phototoxicity of pyrazinamide, a phototoxic antitubercular drug.

The phototoxic antitubercular drug pyrazinamide (1) is photolabile under irradiation with UV-A light as well as with a N2 laser (at 337 nm) in aerobic conditions. Irradiation in methanolic and in aqueous solutions of 1 produces four and three photoproducts, respectively. Their formation involves primary alpha-cleavage between the excited carbonyl of the amido group and the aromatic ring followed by hydrogen abstraction and dimerization. Pyrazinamide was able to cause photohemolysis in human erythrocytes and peroxidation of linoleic acid. Inhibition of both processes on addition of reduced glutathione (GSH) or ascorbic acid suggests the involvement of radicals. The absence of inhibition of the photohemolysis and lipid peroxidation processes in the presence of sodium azide (NaN3), or irradiation under argon, and the absence of singlet oxygen during the photolysis confirmed with 2,5-dimethylfuran rules out the possibility of participation of 1O2 in this process. Glutathione depletion was also observed. A radical intermediate was evidenced by thiobarbituric acid that was used as a radical probe, as well as by the dimerization of cysteine. No photohemolysis was detected in presence of the isolated photoproduct. We have also determined the relative efficiencies for the formation of single strand breaks after the irradiation of pBR322 DNA and pyrazinamide, which was also reduced in the presence of GSH.

Estudios in vitro de los mecanismos fotooxidantes y antioxidantes de los principios activos del aloe vera / Study in vitro of the mechanim phototoxicity and antioxidant of the pricipios actives of the aloe-emodina

En este trabajo se determinó la fototoxicidad in vitro sobre eritrocitos humanos, de los principios activos del Aloe Vera, emodina aloe-emodina y rheina. Esto fue analizado por medio de espectrofotometría UV-Vis y fluorescencia en diferentes medios, bajo fuentes de irradiación Visible y UV-A. El estudio de la capacidad antioxidante de estos tres compuestos se determinó mediante estudios de quimioluminescencia y se comparó con la de las vitaminas E y C. La capacidad de desactivar radicales hidroxilo fue evidenciado para la Emodina y Rheina, siendo similar a las de la vitaminas E y C. Mientras que la capacidad antioxidante de la Aloe-emodina fue mucho menor que las anteriores

Domestic Rhodnius ecuadoriensis (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) infestation in Northern Peru: a comparative trial of detection methods during a six-month follow-up.

Two passive methods in the assessment of intradomiciliary infestation by Rhodnius ecuadoriensis were tested: (i) the Gomes Nu ez sensor box (GN), (ii) sheets of white typing paper and (iii) one active timed manual method. The study was carried out in the Alto Chicama River Valley, Province of Gran Chim , Department of La Libertad. The study design consisted of an initial searching of triatomines inside of the domestic environment by the manual capture active procedure (man/hour) covering all the studied houses. Then, matched pairs of GN boxes and paper sheets were simultaneously installed in the bedrooms of 207 households distributed in 19 localities. A comparative prospective trial of these passive detection devices were monitored at 2, 4 and, finally 6 months follow-up. Parasitological Trypanosoma rangeli and/or T. cruzi infections were investigated in two houses with high level of infestation by R. ecuadoriensis. 16.9% of the 207 households investigated by an initial active manual method were infested with R. ecuadoriensis. The proportion of infested houses fluctuated from 6.2 to 55.5% amongst the 19 localities investigated. T. rangeli natural infection was detected in R. ecuadoriensis specimens collected in two households. Parasite rates in the bugs ranged from 16.6 to 21.7% respectively. The most striking fact was an average rate of salivary gland infection ranging from 7.4 to 8.3%. At the end of the sixth month period, a cumulative incidence of 31.4% of positive GN boxes against 15.9% for paper sheets was recorded. All three methods combined detected domestic infestation in 129 (62.3%) of the 207 houses studied in the 19 localities. The range of houses infested varies from 6.7% to 92.9%. In areas with low bug density infestation rates, the methodology experienced in our studies, seems to be the best choice for investigations on domestic R. ecuadoriensis populations.

Domestic Rhodnius ecuadoriensis (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) infestation in Northern Peru: a comparative trial of detection methods during a six-month follow-up

Two passive methods in the assessment of intradomiciliary infestation by Rhodnius ecuadoriensis were tested: (i) the Gomes Nuñez sensor box (GN), (ii) sheets of white typing paper and (iii) one active timed manual method. The study was carried out in the Alto Chicama River Valley, Province of Gran Chimú, Department of La Libertad. The study design consisted of an initial searching of triatomines inside of the domestic environment by the manual capture active procedure (man/hour) covering all the studied houses. Then, matched pairs of GN boxes and paper sheets were simultaneously installed in the bedrooms of 207 households distributed in 19 localities. A comparative prospective trial of these passive detection devices were monitored at 2, 4 and, finally 6 months follow-up. Parasitological Trypanosoma rangeli and/or T. cruzi infections were investigated in two houses with high level of infestation by R. ecuadoriensis. 16.9 percent of the 207 households investigated by an initial active manual method were infested with R. ecuadoriensis. The proportion of infested houses fluctuated from 6.2 to 55.5 percent amongst the 19 localities investigated. T. rangeli natural infection was detected in R. ecuadoriensis specimens collected in two households. Parasite rates in the bugs ranged from 16.6 to 21.7 percent respectively. The most striking fact was an average rate of salivary gland infection ranging from 7.4 to 8.3 percent. At the end of the sixth month period, a cumulative incidence of 31.4 percent of positive GN boxes against 15.9 percent for paper sheets was recorded. All three methods combined detected domestic infestation in 129 (62.3 percent) of the 207 houses studied in the 19 localities. The range of houses infested varies from 6.7 percent to 92.9 percent. In areas with low bug density infestation rates, the methodology experienced in our studies, seems to be the best choice for investigations on domestic R. ecuadoriensis populations

Photo-induced interaction of antibacterial quinolones with human serum albumin.

The absorption and fluorescence spectrums of four antibacterial quinolones, namely, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, enoxacin, and cinoxacin, were studied in the presence of human serum albumin (HSA). Of the three fluoroquinolones studied, ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin were found to bind efficiently to HSA when irradiated with visible light, whereas the third, enoxacin, bound only moderately. On the other hand, cinoxacin, a nonfluorinated quinolone of the first generation, did not show any interaction with HSA. The findings were inferred by monitoring the evolution of the fluorescence spectrums of the solutions as a function of time. A direct relationship between the capacity of the photo-induced defluorination to produce aryl cation intermediates, and the subsequent binding reaction with HSA, was observed and is discussed.

Chromosomal evolution trends of the genus Panstrongylus (Hemiptera, Reduviidae), vectors of Chagas disease.

The genus Panstrongylus includes 14 species widely distributed from Mexico to Argentina, some of them with great epidemiological significance as vectors of Chagas disease. We study the karyotype and the male meiotic process of Panstrongylus chinai, P. geniculatus, P. herreri, P. lignarius, P. megistus, P. rufotuberculatus and P. tupynambai. All species present the same sex mechanism (X(1)X(2)Y in males and X(1)X(1)X(2)X(2) in females) and they also have 20 autosomes, with the exception of P. megistus that only presents 18 autosomes. The analysis of C-banding patterns and meiotic chromosome behaviour show a great level of variability allowing the identification of three clearly differentiated groups. In the first group, we only include P. megistus because of its unusual number of autosomes. The second group includes P. chinai, P. herreri, P. lignarius and P. rufotuberculatus. Their autosomes present terminal heterochromatic regions that appear scattered throughout the nucleus and associated with the sex chromosomes. Actually, P. herreri and P. lignarius can be considered cytogenetically identical. Our results are in agreement with morphological, ecological and molecular data indicating that they should be regarded as the same species. The third group only includes P. tupynambai that shows autosomes without C-positive regions. Panstrongylus geniculatus shares characters will all the three groups. Its karyotypic features are extremely polymorphic depending on their geographic origin. Some populations do not show any heterochromatic regions, while others exhibit few or several heterochromatic blocks. The chromosomal variability observed, together with its wide distribution and phenetic variability, suggest that P. geniculatus is a species complex comprising at least two distinct species. Considering the entire subfamily, the level of cytogenetic variation in Panstrongylus is lower than that observed in Triatoma but considerably more than that of Rhodnius, which is a very homogenous genus in terms of chromosome appearance and behaviour. This would endorse the closer relationship between Panstrongylus and Triatoma, and their divergence from Rhodnius, in accordance with current tribal classification.