Identification of benzoylisoquinolines as potential anti-Chagas agents.

A set of three 3-benzoyl substituted isoquinolones was synthesized in good yields and assayed for in vitro trypanocidal activity against Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas' disease. Depending on the concentration evaluated, a greater or equivalent reduction in the number of bloodborne trypomastigotes compared to that observed with benznidazole, a drug currently used to attack the parasite, was observed for two of the samples. In order to assess the potential of the 3-benzoylisoquinolone nucleus as a possible scaffold in the design of novel anti-trypanosomal lead structures, a computational analysis was performed using structural and inhibition information from both functional and target assays archived in the online database, ChEMBL. Chemical space projection of the synthesized compounds along with 3067 structures with known activities against T. cruzi shows that the isoquinolones occupy a sparsely-populated region of chemical space, indicating their potential for development as a novel class of trypanocidals. In addition, 2D and 3D structural similarity analyses revealed micromolar and submicromolar inhibitors of T. cruzi in ChEMBL with high similarity to the synthesized structures.

Presence of microplastics in six bivalve species (Mollusca, Bivalvia) commercially exploited at the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Central America.

Microplastic pollution represents a serious threat to coastal marine systems. We evaluated the presence of microplastics (MPs) in 168 specimens of six commercially exploited bivalve species in the Golfo de Nicoya, Costa Rica. MPs were present in 100 % of the specimens of Leukoma asperrima and L. ecuadoriana, 74 % of Mytella strigata, 82 % of M. guyanensis, 84 % of Asthenometis asthenodon, and 82 % of Tagelus affinis. When considering all specimens, we found on average 4.8 ±â€¯8.0 pieces per individual and 2.1 ±â€¯3.3 items g-1 of wet tissue. There were significant differences between species with L. asperrima and L. ecuadoriana containing the highest number of pieces. Fibers and particles comprised 92 % and 8 %, respectively. This is the first study from the Central America's Pacific region showing the presence of MPs in bivalve species.

1,2,3,3',4',6'-Hexaacetyl-4,6-O-benzyl-idenesucrose.

In the title compound, C(31)H(38)O(17), the 1,3-dioxane and pyran-oside rings both show (4)C(1) chair conformations while for the d-fructofuran-oside moiety an envelop 3E conformation is observed. The phenyl ring is oriented almost perpendicular to the 1,3-dioxane ring [dihedral angle = 79.3 (2)°], and the acetate groups are equatorial for the pyran-oside ring and axial for the furan-oside ring. The analysis of potential hydrogen bonds shows both intra- and inter-molecular C-H⋯O contacts to be present.

Consumo de tabaco y condición de empleo en una región del eje cafetero colombiano / Smoking and employment conditions in a department of the coffee-triangle region of Colombia

RESUMEN Objetivos Estimar la prevalencia del consumo de tabaco en una región del eje cafetero y su asociación con la condición de empleo. Métodos Este estudio fue del tipo corte transversal. Los participantes fueron hombres y mujeres mayores de 15 años residentes de los municipios de Risaralda que aceptaron ser encuestados sobre las características del consumo de tabaco en 2017. Resultados Se evaluaron 4 157 registros de personas y se obtuvo una prevalencia de consumo de tabaco en Risaralda del 11,5%. En subempleados hubo una asociación significativa por fumar (p<0,05) (OR=1,51 IC95%: 1,18-1,94) cuando se ajustó el consumo de cigarrillo por edad y sexo, mientras que en desempleados el odds ratio reportado fue mayor (OR=3,10 IC95%: 2,03-4,73). Conclusiones Se encontró que el subempleo es un factor de riesgo para el consumo de tabaco que debe ser considerado en el desarrollo de políticas para el control de consumo de tabaco en la región en población vulnerable. La condición de empleo puede explicar las limitaciones de una política de control de consumo de tabaco en la población.

ABSTRACT Objective To estimate the links between smoking and employment conditions in a department of the coffee-triangle region. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. Participants were men and women older than 15 years residing in the municipalities of Risaralda. They agreed to complete a survey asking about the characteristics of tobacco consumption and socioeconomic status, in 2017. Results A total of 4 157 participants were surveyed. The smoking prevalence in Risaralda was 11,5%. Underemployment had a significant association with smoking (p<0,05 OR:1,51 CI95%: 1,18-1,94). Statistical significance was found when adjusting smoking by age and sex, whereas unemployment had over three times greater odds for smoking (OR:3,10, CI95%: 2,03-4,73). Conclusion This study finds that underemployment is a risk factor for smoking. This statement should be considered to the future assessment of the tobacco control policies in the region, particularly for vulnerable population. The employment conditions could explain the boundaries at the tobacco control policies in the population.

Gibberellic acid production by free and immobilized cells in different culture systems.

Gibberellic acid production was studied in different fermentation systems. Free and immobilized cells of Gibberella fujikuroi cultures in shake-flask, stirred and fixed-bed reactors were evaluated for the production of gibberellic acid (GA3). Gibberellic acid production with free cells cultured in a stirred reactor reached 0.206 g/L and a yield of 0.078 g of GA3/g biomass.

Synthesis of phenylazonaphtol-ß-D-O-glycosides, evaluation as substrates for beta-glycosidase activity and molecular studies.

BACKGROUND: Phenylazonaphtol-ß-D-O-glycosides are alternative substrates for the detection of enzymatic activity of ß-glycosidases which are involved in various important processes. These azoic compounds are currently exploited as prodrugs for colonic disease due the presence of ß-glycosidase activity in the gut flora and therefore allowing the release of the drug at the specific site. RESULTS: Phenylazonaphtol-ß-D-O-glucoside 3a and galactoside 3b were prepared via diazonium salt conditions under weak acidic conditions which do not compromise the O-glycosidic bond stability, by coupling reaction between 2-naphtol sodium salt with aminoglycosides 1a and 1b. The resulting phenylazonaphtol glycosides 2a and 2b were deprotected affording the phenylazonaphtol glycosides 3a and 3b in quantitative yield. The galactoside glycoside 3b was assayed as substrate for in vitro ß-galactosidase enzymatic activity showing strong absorbance after releasing of the azoic chromophore. Also, docking studies were performed to determine the best pose as well as the interactions between the ligand and the residues located at the active site. CONCLUSIONS: The methodology developed for synthesizing the phenylazonaphtol glycosides described proved to be convenient for generating azoic functionalities in the presence of glycosidic bonds and the glycosides suitable as alternative substrates and potentially useful prodrugs in the treatment of colonic diseases.

Synthesis of tricolorin F.

A hetero-trisaccharide resin glycoside of jalapinolic acid known as tricolorin F has been synthesized. The approach involved the preparation of intermediate 5 and a subsequent coupling reaction with imidate 6 to produce disaccharide 7, which after deacetylation generated intermediate 8. A further coupling between this glycosyl acceptor and the quinovose glycosyl donor 9 resulted in the formation of the tricoloric acid C derivative 10. Basic hydrolysis afforded the intermediate 11, which was subsequently lactonized under Yamaguchi conditions to produce protected macrolactone 12. Removal of acetonide and benzyl protecting groups afforded pure tricolorin F (1).

A comparative analysis of mono- and disaccharide benzyl fucopyranosides.

The syntheses and X-ray analyses of two fucopyranosides, the monosaccharide benzyl 3,4-di-O-acetyl-2-hydroxy-beta-D-fucopyranoside, C(17)H(22)O(7), and the disaccharide 1-benzyl O-(2,3-di-O-acetyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1-->2)-3,4-O-isopropylidene-beta-D-fucopyranoside, C(33)H(40)O(12), are described. The different substituents induce small conformational changes on the fucopyranoside ring. However, the conformation of the benzyl group varies from (+)gauche for the monosaccharide to synperiplanar for the disaccharide.

Caracterización de parámetros clínicos y anatomopatológicos de pacientes con cáncer de próstata localmente avanzado en Hospital Barros Luco Trudeau / Characterization of clinical and pathological parameters of patients with locally advanced prostate cancer in Hospital Barros Luco Trudeaus

La estadificación clínica del Cáncer de Próstata es una evaluación de la extensión de la enfermedad mediante el uso de parámetros previos al tratamiento como tacto rectal, PSA, biopsia transrectal e imágenes radiológicas. El estadío anatomo patológico post quirúrgico comprende el análisis histopatológico de la pieza operatoria, lo que constituye una estimación más precisa de la extensión de la enfermedad y representa el método más ¬ fiable para predecir el resultado del tratamiento. De 386 pacientes sometidos a Prostatectomía entre los años 2002 y 2012 se realiza estudio retrospectivo de 48 pacientes, que presentaron compromiso extra prostático. Análisis estadístico de las variables estudiadas mediante prueba de Chi cuadrado. De 386 pacientes sometidos a Prostatectomía, el 12,4 por ciento presentó compromiso extra prostático. La edad promedio fue de 64,1 años; el PSA promedio 12,2 ng/ml. El 37,77 por ciento presentaba un tacto rectal sospechoso. El tamaño prostático promedio estimado por ecografía fue 38,2 cc. La biopsia defi¬nitiva reveló un volumen glandular promedio de 64 cc. y volumen tumoral promedio de 6,9 cc. El 72,92 por ciento fue clasi¬ficado con un score de Gleason 7. El 82 por ciento presentaba compromiso glandular bilateral. El 65,12 por ciento presentó compromiso capsular; 73,9 por ciento compromiso de bordes quirúrgicos; 23,4 por ciento compromiso unilateral y 19,1 por ciento bilateral de vesículas seminales. No fue posible establecer evidencia que permita afirmar la existencia de algún factor predictor para el compromiso capsular, de bordes quirúrgicos, de vesículas seminales, de conductos deferentes, ni permeación linfática. Se logró establecer una relación estadísticamente significativa entre niveles de PSA y probabilidad de compromiso vascular.

Clinical staging of prostate cancer is an assessment of the extent of disease by using pretreatment parameters as DRE, PSA, transrectal biopsy and scans. The postoperative pathologic stage comprises histopathological analysis of surgical piece, which is a more accurate estimate of the extent of disease and represents the most reliable method to predict the outcome of treatment. Retrospective study of 48 patients with prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy between 2002 and 2012, which showed extraprostatic commitment. Statistical analysis of the variables using chi-square test. Of 386 patients undergoing prostatectomy, 12.4 percent had extraprostatic commitment. The average age was 64.1 years and the mean PSA 12.2 ng / ml. The 37.77 percent had a suspicious DRE. The average prostate size estimated by ultrasound was 38.2 cc. The ¬ final biopsy revealed an average volume of 64 cc glandular. and average tumor volume of 6.9 cc. The 72.92 percent was classified with a Gleason score 7. 82 percent had bilateral glandular involvement. The capsular involvement showed 65.12 percent, 73.9 percent commitment surgical margins, 23.4 percent and 19.1 percent unilateral commitment bilateral seminal vesicles. It was not possible to establish evidence to a rm the existence of a predictor factor for capsular involvement of surgical margins, seminal vesicle, vas deferens, or lymphatic permeation. They managed to establish a statistically significant relationship between PSA levels and probability of vascular compromise.