Bio-guided isolation of aromatic abietane diterpenoids from Salvia canariensis as biopesticides in the control of phytopathogenic fungi.

BACKGROUND: Biofungicides arise as a promising alternative to the indiscriminate use of harmful synthetic fungicides in crop management. RESULTS: The present study reports the bio-guided fractionation of an endemic plant from the Canary Islands, Salvia canariensis against the phytopathogens, Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea, and Fusarium oxysporum. This procedure allowed identifying a series of diterpenoids with an abietane skeleton (1-5), which exhibited remarkable activity against the phytopathogenic fungi assayed. Their structures were established by means of spectroscopic and spectrometric methods, as well as comparison with reported data. Compounds 2 (carnosic acid), 4 (11-acetoxy carnosic acid) and 5 (11,12-diacetoxy carnosic acid) showed significant mycelium growth inhibition (%GI > 50 at 0.1 mg/mL concentration) on all the assayed fungi, and with a potency also higher than the positive control, Fosbel-Plus, a fungicide commonly used in agriculture. A preliminary structure-activity relationship is also discussed. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underline the aromatic abietane diterpenoids as promising eco-friendly alternatives to conventional fungicides to use in integrated pest management. © 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Initial Impact of Perinatal Loss on Mothers and Their Partners.

(1) Background: Perinatal Loss affects one in ten women worldwide. It is known to have a deep impact on the physical and psychological wellbeing of the mother. Moreover, there is a lack of information in regard to gender differences. The role of culture, environment, personal characteristics, and gender is yet to be determined in most reports; (2) Objective and Methods: Our aim is to study the initial impact of perinatal losses in an unselected sample of couples, focusing on gender differences. We conducted a longitudinal prospective study with 29 mothers and 17 fathers. Upon discharge from the hospital, they filled out the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), among others. After one-month post-loss, they performed the EPDS and the Short Version of the Perinatal Grief Scale. We used descriptive statistics for the sample and non-parametric tests for the comparison of gender; (3) Results: We found no gender differences in initial depressive symptoms, nor in depressive symptoms, perinatal grief symptoms, or grief level (total scores or complicated grief) one month after the loss; (4) Conclusions: we need to better understand the psychological evolution of couples in cases of perinatal loss without falling into preconceived ideas about the influence of gender.

Riesgo de depresión materna perinatal tras una pérdida gestacional: prevalencia y factores asociados. Un estudio exploratorio / Risk of perinatal maternal depression after pregnancy loss: prevalence and associated factors. An exploratory study

Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia del riesgo de depresión materna en el periodo perinatal, y los factores asociados a la misma, en las mujeres atendidas en Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari de Sabadell (Barcelona) que han tenido una pérdida gestacional de más de 13 semanas de gestación. Material y método: Se diseñó un estudio observacional de tipo analítico. Las variables estudiadas fueron: el riesgo de depresión materna perinatal, el tiempo transcurrido entre el diagnóstico y la expulsión, las pérdidas gestacionales previas, la viabilidad fetal, ver y sostener al bebé, la obtención de huellas y fotografías de recuerdo, y percibir contradicciones profesionales. El riesgo de depresión posparto fue evaluado mediante la Escala de Edimburgo. Se realizó un análisis de regresión múltiple por pasos para evaluar el efecto de las variables de estudio sobre la depresión posparto al alta. Resultados: Participaron 29 mujeres entre julio de 2018 y diciembre de 2020. El 37,9 % (n= 11/29) de las participantes al alta y el 26,7 % (n= 4/15) al mes presentaban puntuaciones superiores a 13 en la Escala de Edimburgo. La ecuación de la regresión fue estadísticamente significativa (F(4,23)= 7,31, p <0,001), llegando a explicar el 48,3 % (R2 ajustada) de la varianza de la depresión posparto al alta. El tiempo transcurrido entre el diagnóstico y la expulsión superior a 24 horas (B= 4,91; IC del 95 %= 0,83-8,99), así como las pérdidas gestacionales previas (B= 5,99; IC del 95 %= 1,92-10,06) se asociaron con una mayor puntuación en la Escala de Edimburgo, mientras que ver al hijo/a (B= –5,84; IC del 95 % = –11,55 a –0,12) se asoció con una disminución de la puntuación. (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of the risk of maternal depression in the perinatal period and the factors associated with it, in women treated at Hospital Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari of Sabadell (Barcelona), who have had a gestational loss of more than 13 weeks of gestation. Material and method: An analytical observational study was designed. The variables studied were: the risk of perinatal maternal depression, the time elapsed between diagnosis and expulsion, previous pregnancy losses, fetal viability, seeing and holding the baby, obtaining footprints and souvenir photographs, and perceiving professional contradictions. The risk of postpartum depression was assessed using the Edinburgh Scale. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of the study variables on postpartum depression at discharge. Results: 29 women participated between July 2018 and December 2020. 37.9% (n= 11/29) of the participants at discharge and 26.7% (n= 4/15) at one month had scores higher than 13 on the Edinburgh Scale. The regression equation was statistically significant (F(4,23)= 7.31, p <0.001) explaining 48.3% (R2 Adjusted) of the variance of postpartum depression at discharge. The time elapsed between diagnosis and expulsion greater than 24 hours (B = 4.91; 95% CI = 0.83 – 8.99), as well as previous pregnancy losses (B = 5.99; 95% CI = 1.92 – 10.06) were associated with a higher score on the Edinburgh Scale, while seeing the child (B = -5.84; 95% CI = -11.55 – -0.12 ) was associated with a decrease in score. (AU)

Antifungal Potential of Canarian Plant Extracts against High-Risk Phytopathogens.

Phytopathogens are responsible for great losses in agriculture. In particular, Fusarium, Alternaria and Botrytis are fungal diseases that affect crops worldwide. In the search for eco-friendly solutions to pest control, plants and their chemo-biodiversity are promising sources of biopesticides for integrated pest management. The aim of the present study is to report the evaluation of sixteen plant species from the Canary Islands Archipelago against the phytopathogenic fungi Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum, and Alternaria alternata. The plants were selected on the basis of their traditional uses in medicine and/or pest control, as well as on scientific studies reporting their uses in crop protection. Their growth inhibition (% I), in an in vitro test-assay on mycelium, was used to identify six ethanolic plant extracts displaying activity (% I > 30% at 1 mg/mL) against at least one of the assayed fungi. The most effective plant extracts were further fractionated by liquid−liquid partition, using solvents of increasing polarity. This procedure led to an improvement of the bioactivity against the phytopathogens, even affecting the hexane fraction from S. canariensis and achieving an 83.93% of growth inhibition at 0.5 mg/mL on B. cinerea. These findings identified five plant-derived extracts as potential candidates for the future development of new biofungicides, which could be applied in integrated pest management.

Experiencias psicológicas de la pandemia covid en mujeres con depresión y/o ansiedad postparto: una serie de casos / Psychological experiences of covid pandemia in postpartum women with depression and anxiety: a case serie

Introducción: Las situaciones ambientales de estrés grave suponen un factor de riesgo conocido para el desarrollo de trastornos mentales durante el embarazo, especialmente emocionales. En este sentido la pandemia mundial del COVID-19 y el estado de emergencia y confinamiento subsiguiente, han podido tener un gran impacto psicológico en las mujeres embarazadas. Nuestro objetivo es realizar un análisis descriptivo de las percepciones de una serie de casos de mujeres embarazadas durante la pandemia COVID-19 que posteriormente han sido diagnosticadas con depresión/ansiedad postparto.Métodos: Descripción de 10 casos de mujeres adultas, embarazadas durante la pandemia y confinamiento, con depresión y/o ansiedad post-parto atendidas consecutivamente en el Programa de Salud Mental Perinatal de la Corporación Sanitaria Parc Taulí y en el Programa de Atención a la Salud Sexual y Reproductiva (ASSIR) del CAP San Fèlix. Todas las mujeres estaban en tratamiento psicológico (individual y grupal). Para medir el estrés específico, administramos el Pandemic-Related Pregnancy Stress Scale (PREPS) que evalúa la extensión y tipo de estrés relacionado con la pandemia en mujeres embarazadas, incluyendo 3 factores: Estrés relacionado con la preparación, Estrés relacionado con el miedo al contagio, y finalmente una dimensión relacionada con la resiliencia, denominada Valoración positiva. De forma opcional se incluyó una pregunta abierta sobre preocupaciones adicionales no incluidas en la Escala. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y de contenido.Resultados: La mediana de las puntuaciones en las escalas de estrés de preparación y por miedo al contagio fue de 3,07 y 3,80 respectivamente, el 40% y el 50% puntuaron ≥4. La mediana de las puntuaciones en la escala de valoración positiva fue de 2,66, solo un caso puntuó ≥4. En el análisis de contenido de las frases libres, destacan la sensación de abandono, los sentimientos de soledad, desesperanza, miedo e incertidumbre. (AU)

Nanoparticle-cell-nanoparticle communication by stigmergy to enhance poly(I:C) induced apoptosis in cancer cells.

Nanoparticle-cell-nanoparticle communication by stigmergy was demonstrated using two capped nanodevices. The first community of nanoparticles (i.e.S(RA)IFN) is loaded with 9-cis-retinoic acid and capped with interferon-γ, whereas the second community of nanoparticles (i.e.S(sulf)PIC) is loaded with sulforhodamine B and capped with poly(I:C). The uptake of S(RA)IFN by SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells enhanced the expression of TLR3 receptor facilitating the subsequent uptake of S(sulf)PIC and cell killing.

A versatile drug delivery system targeting senescent cells.

Senescent cells accumulate in multiple aging-associated diseases, and eliminating these cells has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic approach. Here, we take advantage of the high lysosomal ß-galactosidase activity of senescent cells to design a drug delivery system based on the encapsulation of drugs with galacto-oligosaccharides. We show that gal-encapsulated fluorophores are preferentially released within senescent cells in mice. In a model of chemotherapy-induced senescence, gal-encapsulated cytotoxic drugs target senescent tumor cells and improve tumor xenograft regression in combination with palbociclib. Moreover, in a model of pulmonary fibrosis in mice, gal-encapsulated cytotoxics target senescent cells, reducing collagen deposition and restoring pulmonary function. Finally, gal-encapsulation reduces the toxic side effects of the cytotoxic drugs. Drug delivery into senescent cells opens new diagnostic and therapeutic applications for senescence-associated disorders.

Gated Mesoporous Silica Nanocarriers for a "Two-Step" Targeted System to Colonic Tissue.

Colon targeted drug delivery is highly relevant not only to treat colonic local diseases but also for systemic therapies. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been demonstrated as useful systems for controlled drug release given their biocompatibility and the possibility of designing gated systems able to release cargo only upon the presence of certain stimuli. We report herein the preparation of three gated MSNs able to deliver their cargo triggered by different stimuli (redox ambient (S1), enzymatic hydrolysis (S2), and a surfactant or being in contact with cell membrane (S3)) and their performance in solution and in vitro with Caco-2 cells. Safranin O dye was used as a model drug to track cargo fate. Studies of cargo permeability in Caco-2 monolayers demonstrated that intracellular safranin O levels were significantly higher in Caco-2 monolayers when using MSNs compared to those of free dye. Internalization assays indicated that S2 nanoparticles were taken up by cells via endocytosis. S2 nanoparticles were selected for in vivo tests in rats. For in vivo assays, capsules were filled with S2 nanoparticles and coated with Eudragit FS 30 D to target colon. The enteric coated capsule containing the MSNs was able to deliver S2 nanoparticles in colon tissue (first step), and then nanoparticles were able to deliver safranin O inside the colonic cells after the enzymatic stimuli (second step). This resulted in high levels of safranin O in colonic tissue combined with low dye levels in plasma and body tissues. The results suggested that this combination of enzyme-responsive gated MSNs and enteric coated capsules may improve the absorption of drugs in colon to treat local diseases with a reduction of systemic effects.

Gender, Sexuality, and Relationships in Young Hispanic People.

This study explores the relation between gender differences and sexuality among young Hispanic people. Eight hundred and forty young people from Spain and Mexico filled out a self-administered questionnaire about sexuality (sexual experience, sexual orientation, and sexual relationships) and gender (self-identification). Men in both Spain and Mexico more commonly report the practice of masturbation and vaginal sex, and are more likely to be unfaithful than women. Women in both countries report more steady partners and longer length of relationships. There were greater gender differences for Mexican men and women than for Spanish men and women in terms of sexual frequency, sexual orientation, and infidelity. Therefore, gender may play an important role in young people's sexuality, more so in Mexico than in Spain.

Self-Immolative Linkers as Caps for the Design of Gated Silica Mesoporous Supports.

A new hybrid material based on sulforhodamine B dye-loaded silica mesoporous nanoparticles capped with a self-immolative gate has been synthesized and characterized. The gated material's controlled release behavior is monitored under different pH conditions. Under acidic and neutral conditions, a low level of dye release is detected. However, at slightly basic pH, significant dye release occurs owing to deprotonation of the phenol moiety in the capping molecule, which results in its disassembly.

Targeting Innate Immunity with dsRNA-Conjugated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Promotes Antitumor Effects on Breast Cancer Cells.

We describe herein a Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) targeting delivery system based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles capped with the synthetic double stranded RNA polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) for controlled cargo delivery in SK-BR-3 breast carcinoma cells. Our results show that poly(I:C)-conjugated nanoparticles efficiently targeted breast cancer cells due to dsRNA-TLR3 interaction. Such interaction also triggered apoptotic pathways in SK-BR-3, significantly decreasing cells viability. Poly(I:C) cytotoxic effect in breast carcinoma cells was enhanced by loading nanoparticles' mesopores with the anthracyclinic antibiotic doxorubicin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent.

Sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, shikimic acid derivatives and pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Senecio kingii Hook.

Twenty-four compounds including eleven eremophilanolides (1-11), one eremophilane (13), five shikimic acid derivatives (14-18), six flavonoids (19-24), and the macrocyclic unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloid integerrimine (25) were isolated from Senecio kingii, an endemic species from the Magallanes Region (Chile). Compounds 3, 5, 6, 8-11 and 13-18 have not been previously reported as natural products. Their molecular structures were determined by NMR spectroscopic analysis and comparison with published NMR data. An X-ray-analysis of compound 3 has been performed. Their insecticidal and antifungal activities were tested, being compound 3 the strongest insect antifeedant. Compounds 6, 9 and 18 were moderate antifungals.

Gated mesoporous silica nanoparticles for the controlled delivery of drugs in cancer cells.

In recent years, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been used as effective supports for the development of controlled-release nanodevices that are able to act as multifunctional delivery platforms for the encapsulation of therapeutic agents, enhancing their bioavailability and overcoming common issues such as poor water solubility and poor stability of some drugs. In particular, redox-responsive delivery systems have attracted the attention of scientists because of the intracellular reductive environment related to a high concentration of glutathione (GSH). In this context, we describe herein the development of a GSH-responsive delivery system based on poly(ethylene glycol)- (PEG-) capped MSNs that are able to deliver safranin O and doxorubicin in a controlled manner. The results showed that the PEG-capped systems designed in this work can be maintained closed at low GSH concentrations, yet the cargo can be delivered when the concentration of GSH is increased. Moreover, the efficacy of the PEG-capped system in delivering the cytotoxic agent doxorubicin in cells was also demonstrated.

Highly selective and sensitive detection of glutathione using mesoporous silica nanoparticles capped with disulfide-containing oligo(ethylene glycol) chains.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with safranin O and capped with disulfide-containing oligo(ethylene glycol) chains were used for the selective and sensitive fluorimetric detection of glutathione.

Subclinical hypothyroidism and cardiovascular risk.

BACKGROUND: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) has been suggested to be associated with increased cardiovascular risk by different mechanisms. Several cardiovascular risk factors have been analysed, but yielded controversial results. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to analyse whether there are differences in several cardiovascular risk markers, such as lipids, inflammatory parameters: plasma viscosity (PV), fibrinogen and C reactive protein (CRP); homocysteine (Hcy) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW), when comparing SCH and controls. We also analysed which of these parameters predict SCH risk and constitute independent markers. METHODS: We determined PV in a Fresenius capillary plasma viscosimeter, Hcy by a chemiluminiscent enzyme immunoassay, and biochemical and haematological parameters by conventional laboratory methods in 58 SCH outpatients and 58 controls matched for age and gender. RESULTS: SCH patients did not show statistical differences for glucose, lipids or leucocytes (p > 0.05). However, patients showed a higher prevalence for use of hypolipidaemic drugs, body mass index (BMI), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), PV, CRP, fibrinogen, Hcy and RDW (p < 0.05). RDW correlated with inflammation parameters: PV (r = 0.331, p < 0.05), fibrinogen (r = 0.424, p < 0.05), CRP (r = 0.433, p < 0.01) and leucocytes (r = 0.613, p < 0.01). None of the cardiovascular markers correlated with the TSH levels (p > 0.05) In the unadjusted logistic regression analyses, BMI ≥28 kg/m2, RDW ≥14%, Hcy ≥12 µm/L, fibrinogen ≥400 mg/dL and MCV ≤88 fL increased SCH risk, but only RDW ≥14% and fibrinogen ≥400 mg/dL independently increased this risk in the adjusted logistic regression analyses (OR = 4.68, 95% CI 1.20-18.30 P = 0.026; OR = 3.48, 95% CI 1.08-11.23 P = 0.037). CONCLUSION: SCH patients show a higher cardiovascular risk, characterised by increased PV, fibrinogen, Hcy and RDW. However, only fibrinogen ≥400 mg/dL and RDW ≥14% are independent predictors of SCH.

Towards chemical communication between gated nanoparticles.

The design of comparatively simple and modularly configurable artificial systems able to communicate through the exchange of chemical messengers is, to the best of our knowledge, an unexplored field. As a proof-of-concept, we present here a family of nanoparticles that have been designed to communicate with one another in a hierarchical manner. The concept involves the use of capped mesoporous silica supports in which the messenger delivered by a first type of gated nanoparticle is used to open a second type of nanoparticle, which delivers another messenger that opens a third group of gated nanoobjects. We believe that the conceptual idea that nanodevices can be designed to communicate with one another may result in novel applications and will boost further advances towards cooperative systems with complex behavior as a result of the communication between simple abiotic individual components.

Sexual behaviors in male sex workers in Spain: modulating factors.

This study analyzed how the culture of origin, educational level, sexual orientation, and experience of male sex workers may mediate their commercial sexual behaviors. A total of 100 Spanish agency male sex workers were interviewed. Most of them were young men, Latin American, homosexual, and had middle-level education. Our results showed that cultural differences and sexual orientation could influence male sex workers when engaging in sexual behaviors with their clients. Social and health projects with male sex workers may have to take into account sexual myths and taboos related to sexual orientation and cultural differences.

Selective and sensitive chromofluorogenic detection of the sulfite anion in water using hydrophobic hybrid organic-inorganic silica nanoparticles.

In water and wine: Chromofluorogenic detection of the sulfite anion in pure water was accomplished by using a new hybrid organic-inorganic material that contained a probe entrapped in hydrophobic biomimetic cavities. This material was used for the detection of sulfite in red wine.