The antihypertensive and diuretic effect of crude root extract and saponins from Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam., in L-NAME-induced hypertension in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam., is used in Paraguayan folk medicine claiming antihypertensive and diuretic properties. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to determine the influence of chronic oral administration of the crude root extract and saponins obtained from S. sisymbriifolium Lam., on the blood pressure of male and female rats with hypertension induced by L-NAME, and its consequences on diuresis, the body weight, blood glucose, and level of serum parameters of liver and kidney functionality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven male, and seven female groups (8 animals each), which received as 6-week pretreatment, 0.9% saline solution (two groups; 0.1mL/10 g of b.w.), L-arginine (100.0 mg/kg/day), enalapril (15.0 mg/kg/day), crude extract (CESs 100.0 mg/kg/day), and saponin purified fraction (1.0, and 10.0 mg/kg/day), and treated with L-NAME (20 mg/kg/day/i.p.) twice, 1, and 6 h after pre-treatment. The animals' body weight, glycemia, and blood pressure were recorded weekly, while serum, hepatic, renal, and histological parameters were analyzed at the end of 6-week of treatment. RESULTS: A protective effect of CESs (100.0 mg/kg/day), and saponins (1.0, and 10.0 mg/kg/day) against hypertension induced by L-NAME was verified in the systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure values, which were significantly lower than the positive L-NAME-hypertensive control group (male and female) at the end of the 6-week treatment. Also, pretreatment with enalapril (15.0 mg/kg/day) induced an efficient protective activity, which validates the method used. Likewise, the volume of urine, creatinine, uric acid, urea, and electrolyte excretion was enhanced at the end of 6-week of treatment in concordance with the reduction in serum level of the same parameters, compatible with the improvement of the diuretic activity. The glycemia, body weight, heart rate, and functional hepato-renal parameters were not modified after a 6-week of treatment, in comparison to the control group, indicating relatively acceptable harmless properties of CESs and saponins. Interestingly, the HDL level in females was increased in contrast to male rats by chronic saponins treatment when compared with the negative control group. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that either the increment in blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, and median) or cardiorenal remodeling effects in male and female rats submitted to L-NAME-induced hypertensive condition, were prevented and well-preserved without a significant variation during a period of 6-week of pretreatment with CESs and saponins pretreatments. Likewise, an important diuretic effect was revealed after this period of treatment.

A new cotton functionalized with iron(III) trimer-like metal framework as an effective strategy for the adsorption of triarylmethane dye: An insight into the dye adsorption processes.

A new Cotton@Fe-BTC composite formed by Fe-BTC (BTC-H3: trimesic acid) metal framework (Fe-BTC MOF loading as high 38 wt %) supported by cellulose fiber is synthesized in aqueous media using a simple and green preparation method, described for the first time in this manuscript. This new strategy relies on the synergetic effect of the pure cellulose and MOFs frameworks resulting in hybrid nanofibers of MOFs@cellulose composite. A complete characterization of the composite material reveals its structural similarity to MIL-100(Fe), a Fe-BTC material. The Cotton@Fe-BTC composite potential use as an eco-friendly and low-cost adsorbent was evaluated for its adsorptive performance for the removal of dye belonging to the triarylmethane dye family (Malachite Green (MQ), Brilliant Green (BG), Pararosaniline (PR), Basic Fuchsine (BF), Crystal Violet (CV), Methyl Green (Met-G), Victoria Blue B (VB), Acid Fuchsin (AF) and Aniline Blue (AB)) in aqueous solution. The fast kinetics and high dye removal efficiencies (>90%) obtained in aqueous solutions. The structure of Cotton@Fe-BTC network, contributed to the remarkable adsorption properties towards a variety of triphenylmethanedye. The interparticle studies showed two main steps in the dye adsorption processes, with the exception of AF and BG. The equilibrium adsorption capacities qe (mg/g) follow the order: AF (3.64)

Solution processed nanostructured hybrid materials based on PbS quantum dots and reduced graphene oxide with tunable optoelectronic properties.

Nanostructured hybrid materials (NHMs) are promising candidates to improve the performance of several materials in different applications. In the case of optoelectronic technologies, the ability to tune the optical absorption of such NHMs is an appealing feature. Along with the capacity to transform the absorbed light into charge carriers (CC), and their consequently efficient transport to the different electrodes. In this regard, NHM based on graphene-like structures and semiconductor QDs are appealing candidates, assuming the NHMs retain the light absorption and CC photogeneration properties of semiconductor QDs, and the excellent CC transport properties displayed by graphene-like materials. In the current work a solution-processed NHM using PbS quantum dots (QDs) and graphene oxide (GO) was fabricated in a layer-by-layer configuration by dip-coating. Afterwards, these NHMs were reduced by thermal or chemical methods. Reduction process had a direct impact on the final optoelectronic properties displayed by the NHMs. All reduced samples displayed a decrement in their resistivity, particularly the sample chemically reduced, displaying a 107 fold decrease; mainly attributed to N-doping in the reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The optical absorption coefficients also showed a dependence on the rGO's reduction degree, with reduced samples displaying higher values, and sample thermally reduced at 300 °C showing the highest absorption coefficient, due to the combined absorption of unaltered PbS QDs and the appearance of sp2 regions within rGO. The photogenerated current increased in most reduced samples, displaying the highest photocurrent the sample reduced at 400 °C, presenting a 2500-fold increment compared to the NHM before reduction, attributed to an enhanced CC transfer from PbS QDs to rGO, as a consequence of an improved band alignment between them. These results show clear evidence on how the optoelectronic properties of NHMs based on semiconductor nanoparticles and rGO, can be tuned based on their configuration and the reduction process parameters.

Applicability and limitations of the radon-deficit technique for the preliminary assessment of sites contaminated with complex mixtures of organic chemicals: A blind field-test.

A blind field test with 136 independent measurements of radon (222Rn) in soil air retrieved from a depth of 0.8 m in a decommissioned lindane (γ-hexachlorocyclohexane) production plant was undertaken to evaluate the performance of the 222Rn-deficit technique as a screening methodology for the location and delineation of subsurface accumulations of complex mixtures of organic contaminants. Maps of 222Rn iso-concentrations were drawn and interpreted before direct analytical information regarding concentrations of hexachlorocyclohexanes, chlorobenzenes and BTEX compounds in soil, groundwater and soil air were disclosed to the authors. The location and extension of pollution hot spots inferred from the 222Rn campaigns agrees remarkably well with the analytical data obtained from the intrusive sampling campaigns and with the location of contaminant source zones (chemical reactor and waste-storage area) and geological sinks of those contaminants (paleochannel). Two main limitations to the applicability of the 222Rn-deficit technique were identified and assessed: The statistically significant variation of 222Rn concentrations with diurnal changes of ground-level air temperature and the maximum depth of investigation in the absence of significant advective and co-advective transport of radon. If the influence of those two factors is accounted for and/or minimized (by averaging replicated measurements during the workday and in different days), the 222Rn-deficit technique has the potential to be an efficient technique which delivers information in quasi-real time, with a much higher spatial density than that of intrusive techniques, at a much faster rate and at a significantly lower cost. MAIN FINDINGS: The 222Rn-deficit technique is an effective tool for real-time site characterization only limited by diffusion length of radon and diurnal temperature variations.

Uncertainty calculation methods in dose assessment for dicentric chromosome assay.

Purpose: To present the impact in coverage of different methods for Poisson confidence intervals and the impact in dose coverage of different uncertainty factors. A detailed explanation of the uncertainty sources in the Bayesian method is also presented.Materials and methods: The exact coverage of uncertainty Poisson confidence intervals and the dose uncertainty interval coverage were performed by simulations using R-based scripts.Results: The Poisson exact calibration interval via the Modified Crow and Gardner method resulted in coverage quite close to the nominal level of confidence; additionally, the method retains the shortest property of Crow and Gardner, and gains the property of a lower limit strictly increasing in the mean of dicentrics. The unlimited simultaneous calibration interval seems to be the method of choice to preserve the coverage at 95% under parametric and nonparametric conditions but is a conservative method. When samples came from a Poisson distribution, the ISO propagation of errors and Bayesian approaches seem to be the closest to the 95% coverage.Conclusions: The Modified Crow and Gardner method should be preferred over the Garwood method for Poisson exact confidence intervals. The unlimited simultaneous calibration interval did not lose its property to preserve the coverage at 95% applying a regression coverage factor of value 2.02 at the point of doses studied in the simulation.

Metal organic framework composite, nano-Fe3O4@Fe-(benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid), for solid phase extraction of blood lipid regulators from water.

The magnetic metal-organic framework Fe3O4@(Fe-(benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid) (MMOF) was prepared, characterized and studied as a magnetic sorbent for the dispersive solid-phase extraction (DSPE) of several widely used blood lipid regulators (i.e., bezafibrate, clofibric acid, clofibrate, gemfibrozil and fenofibrate) from water samples. Characterization of the synthesized Fe3O4@Fe-BTC magnetic nanomaterial was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffractometry, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The magnetic nanocomposite was found to be chemically stable and to possess a large surface area (803.62 m2/g) and pore volume (0.59 cm³/g). The concentrations of fibrates in different water samples were determined using HPLC-UV-Vis and confirmed by UPLC-MS/MS. Parameters affecting the extraction efficiency of magnetic-DSPE were studied and optimized. The maxima absorption capacities (Qmax) were determined to be (in mg/g) 197.0 for bezafibrate, 620.3 for clofibric acid, 537.6 for clofibrate, 288.7 gemfibrozil and 223.2 for fenofibrate. Validations of the optimized magnetic DSPE method for analyses at two fibrate concentrations in spiked water samples produced relative recovery values ≤ 70% for clofibrate and within the range of 80-100% for bezafibrate, clofibric acid, gemfibrozil and fenofibrate. LODs ranging from 4 µg/L for fenofibrate to 99 µg/L for gemfibrozil were obtained. The validated methodology produced recovery values ranging from 70 to 112% (relative standard deviations < 7%).

A note on Poisson goodness-of-fit tests for ionizing radiation induced chromosomal aberration samples.

PURPOSE: To present Poisson exact goodness-of-fit tests as alternatives and complements to the asymptotic u-test, which is the most widely used in cytogenetic biodosimetry, to decide whether a sample of chromosomal aberrations in blood cells comes from an homogeneous or inhomogeneous exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three Poisson exact goodness-of-fit test from the literature are introduced and implemented in the R environment. A Shiny R Studio application, named GOF Poisson, has been updated for the purpose of giving support to this work. The three exact tests and the u-test are applied in chromosomal aberration data from clinical and accidental radiation exposure patients. RESULTS: It is observed how the u-test is not an appropriate approximation in small samples with small yield of chromosomal aberrations. Tools are provided to compute the three exact tests, which is not as trivial as the implementation of the u-test. CONCLUSIONS: Poisson exact goodness-of-fit tests should be considered jointly to the u-test for detecting inhomogeneous exposures in the cytogenetic biodosimetry practice.

Orchid seed removal by ants in Neotropical ant-gardens.

Most plants that inhabit ant-gardens (AGs) are cultivated by the ants. Some orchids occur in AGs; however, it is not known whether their seeds are dispersed by AG ants because most orchid seeds are tiny and dispersed by wind. We performed in situ seed removal experiments, in which we simultaneously provided Azteca gnava ants with seeds of three AG orchid species and three other AG epiphyte species (Bromeliaceae, Cactaceae and Gesneriaceae), as well as the non-AG orchid Catasetum integerrimum. The seeds most removed were those of the bromeliad Aechmea tillandsioides and the gesneriad Codonanthe uleana, while seeds of AG orchids Coryanthes picturata, Epidendrum flexuosum and Epidendrum pachyrachis were less removed. The non-AG orchid was not removed. Removal values were positively correlated with the frequency of the AG epiphytes in the AGs, and seeds of AG orchids were larger than those of non-AG orchids, which should favour myrmecochory. Our data show that Azt. gnava ants discriminate and preferentially remove seeds of the AG epiphytes. We report for the first time the removal of AG orchid seeds by AG ants in Neotropical AGs.

Environmental risk assessment of cobalt and manganese from industrial sources in an estuarine system.

A total of 74 samples of soil, sediment, industrial sludge, and surface water were collected in a Mediterranean estuarine system in order to assess the potential ecological impact of elevated concentrations of Co and Mn associated with a Terephthalic (PTA) and Isophthalic (PIPA) acids production plant. Samples were analyzed for elemental composition (37 elements), pH, redox potential, organic carbon, and CaCO3 content, and a group of 16 selected samples were additionally subjected to a Tessier sequential extraction. Co and Mn soil concentrations were significantly higher inside the industrial facility and around its perimeter than in background samples, and maximum dissolved Co and Mn concentrations were found in a creek near the plant's discharge point, reaching values 17,700 and 156 times higher than their respective background concentrations. The ecological risk was evaluated as a function of Co and Mn fractionation and bioavailability which were controlled by the environmental conditions generated by the advance of seawater into the estuarine system during high tide. Co appeared to precipitate near the river mouth due to the pH increase produced by the influence of seawater intrusion, reaching hazardous concentrations in sediments. In terms of their bioavailability and the corresponding risk assessment code, both Co and Mn present sediment concentrations that result in medium to high ecological risk whereas water concentrations of both elements reach values that more than double their corresponding Secondary Acute Values.

Electrical bioimpedance spectroscopy as biosensor technique to identify cells lineages and cell differentiation process.

The identification and characterization of diverse cells types and cell differentiation process requires complex techniques as flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry and the exploration of molecular markers; such techniques require infrastructure and qualified personnel. The objective of this study was to analyze the use of Electrical Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (EBIS) measurements as a non-complex alternative technique to identify populations of undifferentiated mouse Pluripotent Stem Cells (mPSCs), Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts (MEFs) and the differentiation process from preadipocytes (3T3-L1) to mature adipocytes. EBIS measurements were compared in populations of cells which were characterized previously using microscopy. The results indicate that EBIS technique has a potential sensitivity at certain frequency range to discriminate between both evaluated cell populations and some differentiation process. Additional studies with different concentrations to evaluate quantitatively the sensitivity and specificity of the proposed technique are recommended.

Usefulness of a Simple Immunohistochemical Staining Technique to Differentiate Anti-p200 Pemphigoid From Other Autoimmune Blistering Diseases: A Report of 2 Cases. / Descripción de 2 casos de penfigoide anti-p200. Utilidad de una técnica inmunohistoquímica sencilla en el diagnóstico diferencial con otras enfermedades ampollosas autoinmunes.

Anti-p200 pemphigoid is a rare autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease characterized by the presence of circulating immunoglobulin G antibodies directed against laminin gamma-1, a 200-kDa protein located in the lamina lucida of the basement membrane. We review the clinical, histopathological and immunological characteristics of the first 2 cases described in Spain. Anti-p200 pemphigoid shares histopathological and immunopathological findings with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, the main entity in the differential diagnosis. However, its management follows the same guidelines as those used for bullous pemphigoid. The diagnosis is confirmed by immunoblotting, which is a complex technique available in few centers. We propose the immunohistochemical detection of collagen type IV on the floor of the blister, combined with standard immunofluorescence techniques, as a simple, accessible alternative to differentiate anti-p200 pemphigoid from epidermolysis bullosa acquisita.

The Latin American Biological Dosimetry Network (LBDNet).

Biological Dosimetry is a necessary support for national radiation protection programmes and emergency response schemes. The Latin American Biological Dosimetry Network (LBDNet) was formally founded in 2007 to provide early biological dosimetry assistance in case of radiation emergencies in the Latin American Region. Here are presented the main topics considered in the foundational document of the network, which comprise: mission, partners, concept of operation, including the mechanism to request support for biological dosimetry assistance in the region, and the network capabilities. The process for network activation and the role of the coordinating laboratory during biological dosimetry emergency response is also presented. This information is preceded by historical remarks on biological dosimetry cooperation in Latin America. A summary of the main experimental and practical results already obtained by the LBDNet is also included.

Adsorption of silver nanoparticles from aqueous solution on copper-based metal organic frameworks (HKUST-1).

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are emerging pollutants. The use of novel materials such as Cu-(benzene 1,3,5-tricarboxylate, BTC) Metal-Organic Framework (MOFs), for AgNP adsorption and their removal from aqueous solutions has been studied. The effect of different parameters was followed and isotherm model was suggested. MOFs adsorbed fast and efficiently AgNP in the range C0 < 10 mg L(-1), being Freundlich isotherm (R = 0.993) these data fitted to. Among studied parameters a remarkable effect of chloride on sorption was found, thus their possible interactions were considered. The high adsorption efficiency of AgNP was achieved and it was found to be very fast. The feasibility of adsorption on Cu-(BTC) was proved in spiked waters. The results showed the potential interest of new material as adsorbent for removing AgNP from environment.

Complete Genome Sequence of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Isolated in Mexico.

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a member of the Paramyxoviridae family, which causes lower respiratory tract infections in neonates and children younger than 5 years. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of HRSV, isolated from a nasopharyngeal swab of a pregnant woman with cardiac complications.

Effect of resveratrol on mitochondrial activity in differentiated mature adipocytes / Efecto del resveratrol sobre la actividad mitocondrial en adipocitos maduros diferenciados

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are more than 1,000 million overweight adults world-wide. Furthermore, obesity is characterized as an overgrowth of white adipose tissue as a result of adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Mitochondria is considered the source of energy within the adipocyte, since it contains the molecular machinery, and it is involved in a large number of metabolic pathways, besides the transformation of chemical energy into adenosine triphosphate. Mitochondria shortage and adipocyte dysfunction result in an excessive accumulation of triacylglycerol in the cytoplasm, which determines an imbalance between energy production and energy expenditure. Resveratrol (RSV) is a polyphenol found in different plants and its effects have been associated with mitochondrial biogenesis. An adipogenesis in vitro model (3T3-L1 preadipocytes) was used, and these cells were differentiated into mature adipocytes. Subsequently the effect of RSV on the adipocytes morphology, the lipid content and mitochondrial activity was evaluated using microscopic and flow cytometry techniques. The effect of RSV on differentiated mature adipocytes, was characterized by the decrease in lipid content and the consequently declination of the mitochondrial activity. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes retained the differentiation ability until passage 18. The RSV at doses of 25 and 50 µM for 48 hours in differentiated mature adipocytes promoted the decreased in lipid content probably due to an increase in mitochondrial activity in the early hours of RSV exposure, causing the consequently declination of mitochondrial activity at the end of 48 hours.

La obesidad ha tomado dimensiones epidémicas globales y la Organización Mundial de la Salud estima que hay más de 1,000 millones de adultos con sobrepeso. Así mismo, la obesidad se ha caracterizado como la expansión del tejido adiposo blanco condicionada por la hipertrofia e/o hiperplasia de los adipocitos. La mitocondria es considerada la fuente de energía dentro del adipocito, debido a que contiene la maquinaria molecular que dirige, a través de diversas vías metabólicas, la transformación de la energía química en adenosíntrifosfato. La escasez de mitocondrias así como su disfunción en el adipocito, resulta en una acumulación excesiva de triacilgliceroles en el citoplasma, lo que condiciona un desequilibrio entre producción de energía y gasto energético. El resveratrol (RSV) es un polifenol que se encuentra en diferentes grupos de plantas y sus efectos se han asociado con la inducción de genes para la biogénesis mitocondrial. Se empleó un modelo de adipogénesis (in vitro) materializado por una línea celular de preadipocitos 3T3-L1, mismos que se diferenciaron a adipocitos maduros. Posteriormente se evaluó el efecto del RSV sobre la morfología, contenido lipídico y actividad mitocondrial en los adipocitos maduros diferenciados a través de las técnicas: microscopía invertida, confocal y citometría de flujo. El efecto del RSV sobre los adipocitos maduros diferenciados, se caracterizó por la disminución del contenido lipídico y consecuentemente de la actividad mitocondrial. Los preadipocitos 3T3-L1 conservaron la capacidad de diferenciación hasta el pase 18. Por otra parte, el resveratrol a dosis de 25 y 50 µM durante 48 horas en adipocitos maduros diferenciados, promueve una disminución en el contenido lipídico probablemente debido a un aumento de la actividad mitocondrial en las primeras horas de exposición al tratamiento, provocando la disminución de la actividad mitocondrial al término de 48 horas.

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita: a retrospective analysis of 12 patients evaluated in four tertiary hospitals in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is an exceedingly rare subepidermal blistering disease caused by antibodies against type VII collagen. Studies summarizing the clinical and immunological features of this disease in large series of patients are scarce. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the clinical and immunopathological characteristics, treatment responses and outcomes of 12 patients with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita from four tertiary hospitals in Spain. METHODS: An extensive retrospective review of clinical charts. RESULTS: The mean age of onset was 48 years and the mean delay to diagnosis was 20·75 months. The classical phenotype occurred in 42% of cases, inflammatory in 42% and mixed in 17%. Mucosal involvement was present in 75%. Linear IgG deposition along the basement membrane zone was consistently present on direct immunofluorescence examination. Indirect immunofluorescence study was positive in 67% of the cases. Frequently associated diseases were neoplasms (25%), inflammatory bowel disease (25%), hepatitis C virus infection (17%) and thyroid dysfunction (17%). Therapeutic responses were variable. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of neoplasms was similar to that seen in inflammatory bowel disease. Multicentric prospective studies including larger numbers of patients are required for a better knowledge and management of this disease.

Development of a new pulsed source for photoacoustic imaging based on aperiodically poled lithium niobate.

We present the development of a source of deep-red radiation for photoacoustic imaging. This source, which is based on two cascaded wavelength conversion processes in aperiodically poled lithium niobate, emits 10 nanosecond pulses of over 500 µJ at 710 nm. Photoacoustic images were obtained from phantoms designed to mimic the optical and acoustic properties of oral tissue. Results indicate this device is a viable source of optical pulses for photoacoustic applications.

Estatus convulsivo por cisticerco / Convulsive status by cysticercus

La neurocisticercosis consiste en la afectación del SNC por el estado larvario de algunas tenias, generalmente Taenia solium. Endémica en prácticamente todos los países en desarrollo, es cada vez más frecuente en Europa por la inmigración y adopción internacional. Su diagnóstico se basa en datos clínicos, epidemiológicos, serológicos y de neuroimagen, clasificándose en definitivo o probable. Presentamos el caso de una niña colombiana de 6 años, con antecedente de crisis comicial, tras la que no recibió tratamiento antiepiléptico, que ingresa por estatus convulsivo controlado con la administración de diazepam y ácido valproico por vía endovenosa. Tras la realización de las pruebas complementarias, se establece un diagnóstico probable de neurocisticercosis cerebral en fase IV, por lo que se inició tratamiento con albendazol y dexametasona, manteniéndose el valproico oral. Evolucionó favorablemente, estando asintomática a los 6 meses del ingreso, con lesiones neurocisticercoides en resolución, permitiendo retirada progresiva del tratamiento anticomicial (AU)

The neurocysticercosis consists of CNS involvement by the larval stage of certain tapeworms, Taenia solium generally. Endemic in almost all developing countries, is increasing the frequency in Europe by immigration and international adoption. Diagnosis is based on clinical, epidemiological, serological and neuroimaging, classifying it in definitive or probable. We report the case of a Colombian girl six years old, with a history of seizure, after which she did not receive antiepileptic treatment, was admitted to the hospital with a status epileptic, which was controlled by the administration of diazepam and intravenous valproic acid. After performing additional tests, it was established a probable diagnosis of brain neurocysticercosis in stage IV, then she was treated with albendazole and dexamethasone, remaining the oral treatment with valproic acid. The patient evolution was favorable, being asymptomatic at 6 months after admission with neurocisticercoides injured in resolution, allowing the withdrawal of the anticonvulsant treatment (AU)