Synthesis, Leishmanicidal, Trypanocidal, Antiproliferative Assay and Apoptotic Induction of (2-Phenoxypyridin-3-yl)naphthalene-1(2H)-one Derivatives.

The coexistence of leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and neoplasia in endemic areas has been extensively documented. The use of common drugs in the treatment of these pathologies invites us to search for new molecules with these characteristics. In this research, we report 16 synthetic chalcone derivatives that were investigated for leishmanicidal and trypanocidal activities as well as for antiproliferative potential on eight human cancers and two nontumor cell lines. The final compounds 8−23 were obtained using the classical base-catalyzed Claisen−Schmidt condensation. The most potent compounds as parasiticidal were found to be 22 and 23, while compounds 18 and 22 showed the best antiproliferative activity and therapeutic index against CCRF-CEM, K562, A549, and U2OS cancer cell lines and non-toxic VERO, BMDM, MRC-5, and BJ cells. In the case of K562 and the corresponding drug-resistant K562-TAX cell lines, the antiproliferative activity has shown a more significant difference for compound 19 having 10.3 times higher activity against the K562-TAX than K562 cell line. Flow cytometry analysis using K562 and A549 cell lines cultured with compounds 18 and 22 confirmed the induction of apoptosis in treated cells after 24 h. Based on the structural analysis, these chalcones represent new compounds potentially useful for Leishmania, Trypanosoma cruzi, and some cancer treatments.

[Septic shock by Vibrio vulnificus at the coast Gulf of Mexico]. / Choque séptico por Vibrio vulnificus en las costas del Golfo de México.

Vibrio vulnificus is a Gram-negative bacterium which is found in marine environments and where there is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea. The infection by these bacteria can cause primary septicemia by two mechanisms: upon consuming crustaceans, mollusks and some fish (filtering shellfish) raw or barely cooked or by an open injury in contact with seawater. The patients with infections of the primary injury by Vibrio vulnificus developed contaminated painful cellulitis that progresses quickly as well as a marked local inflammation with signs of hemorrhaging. We described a case of Vibrio vulnificus sepsis, with emphasis on the clinical picture, the epidemiological background and lab findings; finally we did a brief review of the literature related to the case.