PKHD1L1 is required for stereocilia bundle maintenance, durable hearing function and resilience to noise exposure.

Sensory hair cells of the cochlea are essential for hearing, relying on the mechanosensitive stereocilia bundle at their apical pole for their function. Polycystic Kidney and Hepatic Disease 1-Like 1 (PKHD1L1) is a stereocilia protein required for normal hearing in mice, and for the formation of the transient stereocilia surface coat, expressed during early postnatal development. While the function of the stereocilia coat remains unclear, growing evidence supports PKHD1L1 as a human deafness gene. In this study we carry out in depth characterization of PKHD1L1 expression in mice during development and adulthood, analyze hair-cell bundle morphology and hearing function in aging PKHD1L1-defficient mouse lines, and assess their susceptibility to noise damage. Our findings reveal that PKHD1L1-deficient mice display no disruption to bundle cohesion or tectorial membrane attachment-crown formation during development. However, starting from 6 weeks of age, PKHD1L1-defficient mice display missing stereocilia and disruptions to bundle coherence. Both conditional and constitutive PKHD1L1 knock-out mice develop high-frequency hearing loss progressing to lower frequencies with age. Furthermore, PKHD1L1-deficient mice are susceptible to permanent hearing loss following moderate acoustic overexposure, which induces only temporary hearing threshold shifts in wild-type mice. These results suggest a role for PKHD1L1 in establishing robust sensory hair bundles during development, necessary for maintaining bundle cohesion and function in response to acoustic trauma and aging.

PKHD1L1, a gene involved in the stereocilia coat, causes autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss.

Identification of genes associated with nonsyndromic hearing loss is a crucial endeavor given the substantial number of individuals who remain without a diagnosis after even the most advanced genetic testing. PKHD1L1 was established as necessary for the formation of the cochlear hair-cell stereociliary coat and causes hearing loss in mice and zebrafish when mutated. We sought to determine if biallelic variants in PKHD1L1 also cause hearing loss in humans. Exome sequencing was performed on DNA of four families segregating autosomal recessive nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss. Compound heterozygous p.[(Gly129Ser)];p.[(Gly1314Val)] and p.[(Gly605Arg)];p[(Leu2818TyrfsTer5)], homozygous missense p.(His2479Gln) and nonsense p.(Arg3381Ter) variants were identified in PKHD1L1 that were predicted to be damaging using in silico pathogenicity prediction methods. In vitro functional analysis of two missense variants was performed using purified recombinant PKHD1L1 protein fragments. We then evaluated protein thermodynamic stability with and without the missense variants found in one of the families and performed a minigene splicing assay for another variant. In silico molecular modeling using AlphaFold2 and protein sequence alignment analysis were carried out to further explore potential variant effects on structure. In vitro functional assessment indicated that both engineered PKHD1L1 p.(Gly129Ser) and p.(Gly1314Val) mutant constructs significantly reduced the folding and structural stabilities of the expressed protein fragments, providing further evidence to support pathogenicity of these variants. Minigene assay of the c.1813G>A p.(Gly605Arg) variant, located at the boundary of exon 17, revealed exon skipping leading to an in-frame deletion of 48 amino acids. In silico molecular modeling exposed key structural features that might suggest PKHD1L1 protein destabilization. Multiple lines of evidence collectively associate PKHD1L1 with nonsyndromic mild-moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss. PKHD1L1 testing in individuals with mild-moderate hearing loss may identify further affected families.

Aprendizaje creativo en estudiantes de Medicina desde la Genética Médica

Fundamento: En la carrera de Medicina es necesario formar profesionales con pensamiento creativo que permita la solución de problemas vinculados con el ejercicio de su profesión. La Genética Médica aporta la posibilidad de reflexionar y crear soluciones creativas. Objetivo: Proponer actividades que posibiliten el aprendizaje creativo en estudiantes de Medicina desde la Genética Médica. Metodología: Se emplearon métodos teóricos, empíricos y matemático-estadístico, con una muestra de 34 estudiantes y 3 profesores que imparten la asignatura. Resultados: Los docentes reconocen que, a pesar de hacer intentos para alcanzar el aprendizaje creativo, desconocen algunas vías y manifiestan no contar con el tiempo suficiente para su logro. El accionar didáctico no favorece el conocimiento, aplicación y disposición de estudiantes para un aprendizaje creativo. Se propusieron actividades sustentadas en procederes en Genética Médica, como parte de la estrategia didáctica de los docentes, asimismo contribuir al perfeccionamiento del aprendizaje creativo en los estudiantes. Las mismas centradas en métodos problémicos y el uso de recursos tecnológicos. Conclusiones: La formación de los médicos necesita expresar un aprendizaje creativo vinculado a un desempeño eficiente en la solución de problemas de la comunidad, lo cual se puede facilitar mediante la utilización de actividades en la asignatura Genética Médica.

Background: In the Medicine career it is necessary to form professionals with creative thoughts that allow the solution of problems linked to their professional practice. Medical Genetics provides the possibility to reflect and create creative solutions. Objective: To propose activities that allow creative learning in Medical students from the Medical Genetics perspective. Methodology: Theoretical, empirical and mathematical-statistical methods were applied, with a sample of 34 students and 3 teachers who teach the subject. Results: Teachers recognize that, despite making attempts to achieve creative learning, they are unaware of some ways and declare that they do not have enough time to achieve it. The didactic action does not favor the knowledge, application and disposition of students for creative learning. Activities supported by procedures in Medical Genetics were proposed as part of the didactic strategy of the teachers, likewise contribute to the improvement of creative learning in students. The same ones are focused on problem-solving methods and the use of technological resources. Conclusions: Physician education needs to express creative learning coupled with efficient performance in solving community problems, which may be facilitated through the use of activities in Medical Genetics Medical subject.

PKHD1L1, A Gene Involved in the Stereocilia Coat, Causes Autosomal Recessive Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss.

Identification of genes associated with nonsyndromic hearing loss is a crucial endeavor given the substantial number of individuals who remain without a diagnosis after even the most advanced genetic testing. PKHD1L1 was established as necessary for the formation of the cochlear hair-cell stereociliary coat and causes hearing loss in mice and zebrafish when mutated. We sought to determine if biallelic variants in PKHD1L1 also cause hearing loss in humans. Exome sequencing was performed on DNA of four families segregating autosomal recessive nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss. Compound heterozygous p.[(Gly129Ser)];p.[(Gly1314Val)] and p.[(Gly605Arg)];p[(Leu2818TyrfsTer5)], homozygous missense p.(His2479Gln) and nonsense p.(Arg3381Ter) variants were identified in PKHD1L1 that were predicted to be damaging using in silico pathogenicity prediction methods. In vitro functional analysis of two missense variants was performed using purified recombinant PKHD1L1 protein fragments. We then evaluated protein thermodynamic stability with and without the missense variants found in one of the families and performed a minigene splicing assay for another variant. In silico molecular modelling using AlphaFold2 and protein sequence alignment analysis were carried out to further explore potential variant effects on structure. In vitro functional assessment indicated that both engineered PKHD1L1 p.(Gly129Ser) and p.(Gly1314Val) mutant constructs significantly reduced the folding and structural stabilities of the expressed protein fragments, providing further evidence to support pathogenicity of these variants. Minigene assay of the c.1813G>A p.(Gly605Arg) variant, located at the boundary of exon 17, revealed exon skipping leading to an in-frame deletion of 48 amino acids. In silico molecular modelling exposed key structural features that might suggest PKHD1L1 protein destabilization. Multiple lines of evidence collectively associate PKHD1L1 with nonsyndromic mild-moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss. PKHD1L1 testing in individuals with mild-moderate hearing loss may identify further affected families.

Mini-PCDH15 gene therapy rescues hearing in a mouse model of Usher syndrome type 1F.

Usher syndrome type 1 F (USH1F), caused by mutations in the protocadherin-15 gene (PCDH15), is characterized by congenital deafness, lack of balance, and progressive blindness. In hair cells, the receptor cells of the inner ear, PCDH15 is a component of tip links, fine filaments which pull open mechanosensory transduction channels. A simple gene addition therapy for USH1F is challenging because the PCDH15 coding sequence is too large for adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. We use rational, structure-based design to engineer mini-PCDH15s in which 3-5 of the 11 extracellular cadherin repeats are deleted, but which still bind a partner protein. Some mini-PCDH15s can fit in an AAV. An AAV encoding one of these, injected into the inner ears of mouse models of USH1F, produces a mini-PCDH15 which properly forms tip links, prevents the degeneration of hair cell bundles, and rescues hearing. Mini-PCDH15s may be a useful therapy for the deafness of USH1F.

5-(Indol-2-yl)pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines as a New Family of TASK-3 Channel Blockers: A Pharmacophore-Based Regioselective Synthesis.

TASK channels belong to the two-pore-domain potassium (K2P) channels subfamily. These channels modulate cellular excitability, input resistance, and response to synaptic stimulation. TASK-channel inhibition led to membrane depolarization. TASK-3 is expressed in different cancer cell types and neurons. Thus, the discovery of novel TASK-3 inhibitors makes these bioactive compounds very appealing to explore new cancer and neurological therapies. TASK-3 channel blockers are very limited to date, and only a few heterofused compounds have been reported in the literature. In this article, we combined a pharmacophore hypothesis with molecular docking to address for the first time the rational design, synthesis, and evaluation of 5-(indol-2-yl)pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines as a novel family of human TASK-3 channel blockers. Representative compounds of the synthesized library were assessed against TASK-3 using Fluorometric imaging plate reader-Membrane Potential assay (FMP). Inhibitory properties were validated using two-electrode voltage-clamp (TEVC) methods. We identified one active hit compound (MM-3b) with our systematic pipeline, exhibiting an IC50 ≈ 30 µM. Molecular docking models suggest that compound MM-3b binds to TASK-3 at the bottom of the selectivity filter in the central cavity, similar to other described TASK-3 blockers such as A1899 and PK-THPP. Our in silico and experimental studies provide a new tool to predict and design novel TASK-3 channel blockers.

Structural determinants of protocadherin-15 mechanics and function in hearing and balance perception.

The vertebrate inner ear, responsible for hearing and balance, is able to sense minute mechanical stimuli originating from an extraordinarily broad range of sound frequencies and intensities or from head movements. Integral to these processes is the tip-link protein complex, which conveys force to open the inner-ear transduction channels that mediate sensory perception. Protocadherin-15 and cadherin-23, two atypically large cadherins with 11 and 27 extracellular cadherin (EC) repeats, are involved in deafness and balance disorders and assemble as parallel homodimers that interact to form the tip link. Here we report the X-ray crystal structure of a protocadherin-15 + cadherin-23 heterotetrameric complex at 2.9-Å resolution, depicting a parallel homodimer of protocadherin-15 EC1-3 molecules forming an antiparallel complex with two cadherin-23 EC1-2 molecules. In addition, we report structures for 10 protocadherin-15 fragments used to build complete high-resolution models of the monomeric protocadherin-15 ectodomain. Molecular dynamics simulations and validated crystal contacts are used to propose models for the complete extracellular protocadherin-15 parallel homodimer and the tip-link bond. Steered molecular dynamics simulations of these models suggest conditions in which a structurally diverse and multimodal protocadherin-15 ectodomain can act as a stiff or soft gating spring. These results reveal the structural determinants of tip-link-mediated inner-ear sensory perception and elucidate protocadherin-15's structural and adhesive properties relevant in disease.

A Mechanically Weak Extracellular Membrane-Adjacent Domain Induces Dimerization of Protocadherin-15.

The cadherin superfamily of proteins is defined by the presence of extracellular cadherin (EC) "repeats" that engage in protein-protein interactions to mediate cell-cell adhesion, cell signaling, and mechanotransduction. The extracellular domains of nonclassical cadherins often have a large number of EC repeats along with other subdomains of various folds. Protocadherin-15 (PCDH15), a protein component of the inner-ear tip link filament essential for mechanotransduction, has 11 EC repeats and a membrane adjacent domain (MAD12) of atypical fold. Here we report the crystal structure of a pig PCDH15 fragment including EC10, EC11, and MAD12 in a parallel dimeric arrangement. MAD12 has a unique molecular architecture and folds as a ferredoxin-like domain similar to that found in the nucleoporin protein Nup54. Analytical ultracentrifugation experiments along with size-exclusion chromatography coupled to multiangle laser light scattering and small-angle x-ray scattering corroborate the crystallographic dimer and show that MAD12 induces parallel dimerization of PCDH15 near its membrane insertion point. In addition, steered molecular dynamics simulations suggest that MAD12 is mechanically weak and may unfold before tip-link rupture. Sequence analyses and structural modeling predict the existence of similar domains in cadherin-23, protocadherin-24, and the "giant" FAT and CELSR cadherins, indicating that some of them may also exhibit MAD-induced parallel dimerization.

Síndrome cardiorrenal como predictor de mortalidad intrahospitalaria en el síndrome coronario agudo con elevación del segmento ST / Cardiorenal syndrome as predictor of in-hospital mortality in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Introducción: El síndrome cardiorrenal incluye numerosas enfermedades que afectan el corazón y el riñón y empeora el pronóstico de los pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo. Método: Se estudiaron prospectivamente 157 pacientes que ingresaron de forma consecutiva con diagnóstico de infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST y clase Killip>I, de enero de 2013 a diciembre de 2016, en el Hospital General Docente Camilo Cienfuegos. Se recogieron datos clínicos, de laboratorio y ecocardiográficos en relación con la presencia de síndrome cardiorrenal y se determinó la implicación pronóstica del mismo en la mortalidad intrahospitalaria a través de la regresión logística binaria. Resultados: El síndrome cardiorrenal se presentó en 52 pacientes (33,1%). La hemoglobina mostró medias inferiores en el grupo de pacientes con síndrome cardiorrenal (117,2 ± 15,3 vs. 123,3 ± 15,1; p = 0,019), al igual que la fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo (34,8 ± 8 vs. 43,2 ± 10,8). Existió una correlación positiva entre la clase Killip y el aumento de la creatinina a las 48h y de esta con la fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo (r = 0,166; p = 0,038). El síndrome cardiorrenal fue más frecuente en el infarto anterior extenso y resultó un predictor independiente de mortalidad (OR 4,1; IC 95% 1,2-13,9; p = 0,022). Conclusiones: El síndrome cardiorrenal en el curso de un infarto agudo del miocardio puede asociarse a una mayor mortalidad intrahospitalaria. Su detección sería de utilidad en la estratificación pronóstica del síndrome coronario agudo

Introduction: Cardiorenal syndrome includes numerous conditions affecting the heart and kidney, and is a strong predictor of cardiovascular mortality. Method: An analysis was performed on 157 consecutive patients admitted to the Coronary Care Unit of the Camilo Cienfuegos Hospital due to an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and heart failure, from January 2013 to December 2016. An analysis was made of the presence of cardiorenal syndrome and its relationship with epidemiological, clinical, and analytical variables, as well as complementary explorations. The relationship between cardiorenal syndrome and in-hospital mortality was assessed using binary logistical regression. Results: A total of 52 (33.1%) patients had a cardiorenal syndrome. The haemoglobin level was lower in the group of patients with cardiorenal syndrome (117.2 ± 15.3 vs. 123.3 ± 15.1, P = .019), and in left ventricular ejection fraction (34.8 ± 8 vs. 43.2 ± 10.8). A positive correlation was found between the Killip class and the increase in serum creatinine after 48 h. The serum creatinine was associated with left ventricular ejection fraction (r = 0.166; P = .038). The multivariate analysis showed that cardiorenal syndrome was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality when adjusted for a history of ischaemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus status, atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, left ventricular ejection fraction, age and systolic blood pressure. Conclusions: The presence of cardiorenal syndrome has an influence on the prognosis of patients who suffer a cardiorenal syndrome. Its detection could be useful in the risk stratification

Zooming in on Cadherin-23: Structural Diversity and Potential Mechanisms of Inherited Deafness.

Cadherin-23 (CDH23) is an essential component of hair-cell tip links, fine filaments that mediate inner-ear mechanotransduction. The extracellular domain of CDH23 forms about three-fourths of the tip link with 27 extracellular cadherin (EC) repeats that are structurally similar but not identical to each other. Calcium (Ca2+) coordination at the EC linker regions is key for tip-link elasticity and function. There are ∼116 sites in CDH23 affected by deafness-causing mutations, many of which alter conserved Ca2+-binding residues. Here we present crystal structures showing 18 CDH23 EC repeats, including the most and least conserved, a fragment carrying disease mutations, and EC repeats with non-canonical Ca2+-binding motif sequences and unusual secondary structure. Complementary experiments show deafness mutations' effects on stability and affinity for Ca2+. Additionally, a model of nine contiguous CDH23 EC repeats reveals helicity and potential parallel dimerization faces. Overall, our studies provide detailed structural insight into CDH23 function in mechanotransduction.

Design, facile synthesis, and evaluation of novel spiro- and pyrazolo[1,5-c]quinazolines as cholinesterase inhibitors: Molecular docking and MM/GBSA studies.

Given the wide spectrum of biological uses of pyrazolo[1,5-c]quinazoline and spiro-quinazoline derivatives as anticancer, anti-inflammatory analgesic agents, and their therapeutic applications in neurodegenerative disorders, it is compulsory to find easy, efficient, and simple methods to obtain and chemically diversify these families of compounds, thereby improving their biological applications. In this paper, we report the design and eco-friendly two-step synthesis of novel, fused spiro-pyrazolo[1,5-c]quinazoline derivatives as cholinesterase inhibitors. In addition, we studied their protein-ligand interactions via molecular docking and MM/GBSA calculations for a further rational design of more potent inhibitors. In first step, 2-(1H-pyrazol-5-yl)anilines were obtained through microwave (MW) assisted solvent-free/catalyst-free conditions and the second step involved the synthesis of the spiro-pyrazolo[1,5-c]quinazolines by a cyclocondensation reaction between 2-(1H-pyrazol-5-yl)anilines and cyclic ketones, or acetophenones, using stirring at room temperature. The compounds were obtained in high purity, good yields (50-97%), and at varying reaction times. The spiro-compounds were evaluated as acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs/BuChEIs) respectively, and the most potent compound exhibited a moderate AChE inhibitory activity (5f: IC50 = 84 µM). Molecular docking studies indicated that the binding mode of the compound 5f share common characteristics with the galantamine/donepezil-AChE complexes. Moreover, free binding energy (ΔG) calculations showed a good agreement with the experimental biological activity values. Our theoretical results indicated that halogen bond interactions could be involved with differential potency of these compounds and provide a new starting point to design novel pyrazolo[1,5-c]quinazolines as new anti-Alzheimer agents.

Cardiorenal syndrome as predictor of in-hospital mortality in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. / Síndrome cardiorrenal como predictor de mortalidad intrahospitalaria en el síndrome coronario agudo con elevación del segmento ST.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiorenal syndrome includes numerous conditions affecting the heart and kidney, and is a strong predictor of cardiovascular mortality. METHOD: An analysis was performed on 157 consecutive patients admitted to the Coronary Care Unit of the Camilo Cienfuegos Hospital due to an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and heart failure, from January 2013 to December 2016. An analysis was made of the presence of cardiorenal syndrome and its relationship with epidemiological, clinical, and analytical variables, as well as complementary explorations. The relationship between cardiorenal syndrome and in-hospital mortality was assessed using binary logistical regression. RESULTS: A total of 52 (33.1%) patients had a cardiorenal syndrome. The haemoglobin level was lower in the group of patients with cardiorenal syndrome (117.2 ± 15.3 vs. 123.3 ± 15.1, P = .019), and in left ventricular ejection fraction (34.8 ± 8 vs. 43.2 ± 10.8). A positive correlation was found between the Killip class and the increase in serum creatinine after 48 h. The serum creatinine was associated with left ventricular ejection fraction (r = 0.166; P = .038). The multivariate analysis showed that cardiorenal syndrome was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality when adjusted for a history of ischaemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus status, atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, left ventricular ejection fraction, age and systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of cardiorenal syndrome has an influence on the prognosis of patients who suffer a cardiorenal syndrome. Its detection could be useful in the risk stratification.

Use of an Autonomous Surface Vehicle reveals small-scale diel vertical migrations of zooplankton and susceptibility to light pollution under low solar irradiance.

Light is a major cue for nearly all life on Earth. However, most of our knowledge concerning the importance of light is based on organisms' response to light during daytime, including the dusk and dawn phase. When it is dark, light is most often considered as pollution, with increasing appreciation of its negative ecological effects. Using an Autonomous Surface Vehicle fitted with a hyperspectral irradiance sensor and an acoustic profiler, we detected and quantified the behavior of zooplankton in an unpolluted light environment in the high Arctic polar night and compared the results with that from a light-polluted environment close to our research vessels. First, in environments free of light pollution, the zooplankton community is intimately connected to the ambient light regime and performs synchronized diel vertical migrations in the upper 30 m despite the sun never rising above the horizon. Second, the vast majority of the pelagic community exhibits a strong light-escape response in the presence of artificial light, observed down to 100 m. We conclude that artificial light from traditional sampling platforms affects the zooplankton community to a degree where it is impossible to examine its abundance and natural rhythms within the upper 100 m. This study underscores the need to adjust sampling platforms, particularly in dim-light conditions, to capture relevant physical and biological data for ecological studies. It also highlights a previously unchartered susceptibility to light pollution in a region destined to see significant changes in light climate due to a reduced ice cover and an increased anthropogenic activity.

Antenatal Diagnosis of De Novo Balanced Structural Chromosome Aberrations in Latin America.

INTRODUCTION The consequences of de novo balanced structural chromosome aberrations diagnosed antenatally are unpredictable, and, as a result, they introduce uncertainty into genetic counseling decisions. OBJECTIVE Describe de novo balanced structural aberrations present at antenatal diagnosis in samples from pregnant women in five Latin American countries and determine their effect on carrier individuals. METHODS This was a retrospective observational study based on analysis of 109,011 antenatal tests conducted from January 1981 to December 2016 in Cuba, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Colombia. Thirteen cytogenetic laboratories provided information that included the cases analyzed during the study period; number of de novo balanced structural aberrations diagnosed antenatally; number of diagnoses with de novo balanced structural aberrations that resulted in termination of pregnancy; detailed descriptions of the karyotypes of de novo balanced structural aberration carriers, and descriptions of the form of diagnosis, including types of samples used (amniotic fluid, chorionic villus or fetal blood). Each laboratory also provided pathology reports and genetic counseling at time of diagnosis. Postnatal followup for pregnancies carried to term continued for at least two years. RESULTS Of the 109,011 antenatal tests studied, 72 (0.07%) showed de novo balanced structural aberrations. These events primarily involved chromosomes 1, 2, 7, 14, 18, and 20. Of the 79 breakpoints identified, the most common were 5p15.3, 7q11.2, 7q22, and 14q24. We identified three breakpoints corresponding to 3.8% (3q13.1, 3q13.2, and 9p12) that were not reported in other studies of de novo balanced structural aberrations diagnosed antenatally in patients from other geographic regions or in studies of chromosomal fragile sites. Two of these breakpoints (3q13.1 and 3q13.2) were associated with high risk of phenotypic abnormalities. Information on antenatal or postnatal followup was available for 62 (86%) of de novo balanced structural aberration carriers; of the 44 carriers with postnatal followup, 10 had phenotypic abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS Three new de novo breakpoints were identified, presumably related to genetic admixture characteristics in Latin America. Since some diseases associated with de novo balanced structural aberrations detected antenatally have a late onset, followup for at least two years is recommended for carriers of these aberrations. The information in this study is useful in genetic counseling for pregnant women in Latin America.

Síndrome cardiorrenal como predictor de mortalidad intrahospitalaria en el síndrome coronario agudo con elevación del segmento ST / Introduction Cardiorenal syndrome includes numerous conditions affecting the heart and kidney, and is a strong predictor of cardiovascular mortality

Método Se estudiaron prospectivamente 157 pacientes que ingresaron de forma consecutiva con diagnóstico de infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST y clase Killip > I, de enero de 2013 a diciembre de 2016, en el Hospital General Docente Camilo Cienfuegos. Se recogieron datos clínicos, de laboratorio y ecocardiográficos en relación con la presencia de síndrome cardiorrenal y se determinó la implicación pronóstica del mismo en la mortalidad intrahospitalaria a través de la regresión logística binaria(AU)

Method An analysis was performed on 157 consecutive patients admitted to the Coronary Care Unit of the Camilo Cienfuegos Hospital due to an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and heart failure, from January 2013 to December 2016. An analysis was made of the presence of cardiorenal syndrome and its relationship with epidemiological, clinical, and analytical variables, as well as complementary explorations. The relationship between cardiorenal syndrome and in-hospital mortality was assessed using binary logistical regression(AU)

Trait-mediated indirect interactions of ant shape on the attack of caterpillars and fruits.

Mainly owing to their high diversity and abundance, ants are formidable as predators and defenders of foliage. Consequently, ants can exclude both invertebrate and vertebrate activity on plants via direct and indirect interactions as already shown in many previous studies. Here we present empirical evidence that objects resembling ant shape on dummy caterpillars were able to repel visually oriented predators. Moreover, we also show that rubber ants on dummy fruits can repel potential fruit dispersers. Our results have direct implications on the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of interactions in ant-based systems, as ant presence could affect the fitness of its partners. In short, our study highlights the importance of visual cues in interspecific interactions and opens a new way to study the effects of ant presence to test ecological and evolutionary hypotheses.

Ultrasound-assisted phase-transfer catalysis method in an aqueous medium to promote the Knoevenagel reaction: advantages over the conventional and microwave-assisted solvent-free/catalyst-free method.

Given the broad spectrum of uses of acrylonitrile derivatives as fluorescent probes, AChE inhibitors, and others, it is necessary to find easy, efficient and simple methods to synthesize and diversify these compounds. We report the results of a comparative study of the effects of three techniques on the reactions between heterocyclic aldehydes and 2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)acetonitrile: stirring; ultrasound coupled to PTC conditions (US-PTC); and MW irradiation (MWI) under solvent and catalyst-free conditions. The effects of conditions on reaction parameters were evaluated and compared in terms of reaction time, yield, purity and outcomes. The US-PTC method is more efficient than the MWI and conventional methods. The reaction times were considerably shorter, with high yields (>90%) and good levels of purity. In addition, X-ray diffraction analysis and quantum mechanical calculations, at the level of density functional theory (DFT), ratify obtaining acrylonitrile isomers with E configurations. The crystal structure of 3c is stabilized by weak C-Ho⋯N intermolecular interactions (Ho⋯NC=2.45 Å, Co⋯NC=3.348(3) Å, Ho⋯NC=162°), forming centrosymmetric ring R2(2) (20) along the crystallographic a axis.

A novel class of selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: synthesis and evaluation of (E)-2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-3-heteroarylacrylonitriles.

(E)-2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-3-heteroarylacrylonitriles are described as a new class of selective inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The most potent compound in the series exhibited good AChE inhibitory activity (IC50 = 64 µM). Compound 7f was found to be more selective than galanthamine in inhibiting AChE and it showed a moderate selectivity index. Kinetic studies on AChE indicated that a competitive type of inhibition pattern exist for these acrylonitrile derivates. Molecular docking models of the ligand-AChE complexes suggest that compound 7 g is located on the periphery of the AChE active site.

Inversión pericéntrica del cromosoma 2: presentación de un caso / Pericentric inversion of chromosome 2: case presentation

Fundamento: Las inversiones cromosómicas pueden provocar un fenotipo afectado debido a la interrupción de genes o a la variación en la actividad de estos. Ellas son relativamente comunes, pero por debajo del 1 porciento. Las inversiones pericéntricas consisten en rupturas y reparaciones invertidas del segmento cromosómico, que involucran al centrómero. Presentación de caso: la amniocentesis se le realizó a una paciente de 38 años de edad a las 17, 2 semanas de gestación; la muestra se cultivó y se procesó según las técnicas estandarizadas en nuestro laboratorio. Conclusión: el estudio cromosómico del propósito evidenció una inversión pericéntrica del cromosoma 2: 46, XX, inv (2)(p21::q24). Es la primera vez que se reporta en Cuba este tipo de aberración cromosómica, siendo el padre portador de la misma(AU)

Background: The chromosomic inversions may provoke a phenotype affected due to genes interruption or to a variation of activity in them. They are relatively common but under 1 percent. The pericentric inversions consist of a ruptura and repair invertid in the chromosomic segment which involve the centrometer. Case presentation: The amniocentesis was performed to a 38 year old patient at 17.2 weeks gestation; the sample was cultured and processed according to standard techniques in our laboratory. Conclusion: The chromosomic study of the objective proved a pericentric inversion of the chromosome 2: 46, XX, inv (2)(p21::q24). This is the first time reported in Cuba this type of chromosomic aberration, being the father the carrier(AU)

Infestación mortal de Hámsteres (Mesocrisetos aureatus) por Angiostrongylus cantonensis (chen, 1953)

Se infestaron experimentalmente 12 hámsteres con 6 y 10 larvas infestivas de angiostrongylus cantonensis. Se observó un promedio de sobrevivencia inferior a 30,3 días,y que los parásitos alcanzaron los pulmones antes que en su hospedero habitual. En ningún caso se encontraron larvas en las heces(AU)