Euphorbia factor L2 induces apoptosis in A549 cells through the mitochondrial pathway

Euphorbia factor L2, a lathyrane diterpenoid isolated from caper euphorbia seed (the seeds ofL.), has been traditionally applied to treat cancer. This article focuses on the cytotoxic activity of Euphorbia factor L2 against lung carcinoma A549 cells and the mechanism by which apoptosis is induced. We analyzed the cytotoxicity and related mechanism of Euphorbia factor L2 with an MTT assay, an annexin V-FITC/PI test, a colorimetric assay, and immunoblotting. Euphorbia factor L2 showed potent cytotoxicity to A549 cells. Euphorbia factor L2 led to an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, a loss of mitochondrial electrochemical potential, release of cytochromeactivation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, suggesting that Euphorbia factor L2 induced apoptosis through a mitochondrial pathway. The cytotoxic activity of Euphorbia factor L2 in A549 cells and the related mechanisms of apoptotic induction provide support for the further investigation of caper euphorbia seeds.

Revisión psicométrica de tres escalas del perdón: midiendo la metamorfosis emocional / Psychometric review of three scales of forgiveness: Measuring the emotional metamorphosis

Resumen: Se ha reportado que una transgresión interpersonal puede hacer que los individuos mantengan el resentimiento y experimenten más afecto negativo, ira, estrés, y depresión (Stackhouse, Ross y Boon, 2016). Dado su impacto en la salud física y mental, es importante estudiar el perdón desde la psicología científica, para lo cual es necesario contar con instrumentos válidos y confiables. Sin embargo, hay pocos en español, y no han sido suficientemente estudiados, por lo que en esta investigación se revisaron las propiedades psicométricas de tres escalas del perdón: la Escala de Capacidad de Perdón (CAPER; Casullo y Fernández-Liporacce, 2005), la Escala del Perdón (Vargas-Núñez y Pozos-Gutiérrez, 2005), y la Escala del Perdón en la Relación de Pareja (Rosales-Sarabia, 2013). Para el análisis de la escala CAPER y la Escala del Perdón participaron 253 adultos, mientras que en el caso de la Escala del Perdón en la Relación de Pareja participaron 238 personas involucradas en una relación de pareja, todos residentes del área metropolitana de la Ciudad de México. Los resultados mostraron que solo la Escala del Perdón en la Relación de Pareja replicó su estructura factorial en una muestra distinta. Se discuten los hallazgos a la luz de la literatura científica internacional.

Abstract: It has been reported that suffering from interpersonal transgressions may cause individuals to maintain resentment and experience more negative affect, anger, stress, and depression (Stackhouse, Ross, & Boon, 2016). Given its impact on physical and mental health, it is important to study forgiveness from a scientific perspective, for which counting on valid and reliable measure instruments is highly important. However, there are just a few in Spanish, and haven't been deeply studied, so in this research the psychometric properties of three scales of forgiveness were reviewed: The Forgiveness Capacity Scale (CAPER; Casullo & Fernández-Liporacce, 2005), the Forgiveness Scale (Vargas-Núñez & Pozos-Gutiérrez, 2005), and the Scale of Forgiveness in the Romantic Relationship (Rosales-Sarabia, 2013). For the psychometric analysis of CAPER and the Forgiveness Scale, 253 adults participated, while for the Scale of Forgiveness in the Romantic Relationship, 238 people involved in a relationship participated, all residents of the metropolitan area of the Mexico City. The results showed that only the Forgiveness Scale in the Romantic Relationship replicated its factorial structure in a different sample. Findings are discussed in the light of international scientific literature.

Effect of Capparis spinosa Linn. extract on lipopolysaccharide-induced cognitive impairment in rats.

Cognitive disorders in mankind are not uncommon. Apart from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s (AD), various stresses also affect cognitive functions. Plants are known to be potential source of compounds that ameliorate several diseases including cognitive impairment. Here, we evaluated effect of aqueous extract of caper (Capparis spinosa) buds on lipopolysaccharide-induced cognitive impairment in rats using two different oral doses i.e. 10 (pre-treatment) and 30 mg/rat(post-treatment) through assessment of behavioural (Morris Water maze test and Y maze test), biochemical (Cholinesterase assay) and histopathological (H&E staining) parameters. Lipopolysaccharide (from E. coli) administration resulted in an increased neurodegeneration and time taken to reach the platform (in Morris water maze). The increased neurodegeneration in CA1 region of hippocampus was significantly reduced in animals which received caper bud extract; they showedmarked reduction in time taken to reach the platform at both the dose levels. The experiment demonstrated that caper bud extract exhibits potential protective effect against learning and memory damage induced by chronic administration of lipopolysaccharide (175 µg/kg) for 7 days. The results suggest that the caper bud extract could be explored for its use in the treatment of cognitive disorders.

A relação transferencial do analista com as teorias / The relationship of transference between the analyst and theories / Le relation transférentielle de l’analyste avec les théories / La relación transferencial del analista con las teorías

Este artigo explora a relação transferencial que o analista estabelece com as teorias, examinando seus aspectos narcísicos, não narcísicos e edipianos conforme propostos por Caper em “Uma mente própria” (1999). Os aspectos narcísicos da transferência referem-se à possibilidade de o analista projetar seus objetos internos sobre a teoria; os aspectos não narcísicos referem-se a sua capacidade de perceber a teoria como objeto independente de suas projeções; os aspectos edipianos referem-se à possibilidade de o analista projetar seus objetos internos na teoria e percebê-la como algo distinto de si, sustentando esse paradoxo. Perceber a teoria como distinta de si implica reconhecer que ela estabelece relações com outros objetos, das quais o analista está excluído; esse reconhecimento, por sua vez, permite ao analista estabelecer relações com novos objetos, das quais a teoria está excluída. A necessária distância emocional entre analista e teoria é dada, portanto, pela viva ligação do analista com seus pacientes...

This paper explores the relationship of transference between the analyst and theories, examining its narcissistic, non-narcissistic and oedipal aspects, as proposed by Caper (1999). The narcissistic aspects of transference refer to the analyst’s ability to project his internal objects on the theory; the non-narcissistic aspects refer to his ability to perceive the theory as an object that is independent from his projections; the oedipal aspects refer to the analyst’s ability to project his internal objects on the theory and to perceive it as something apart from oneself, maintaining the paradox. To view the theory as separate from oneself is to accept that it establishes relationships with other objects, from which the analyst is excluded; this acceptance, by its turn, allows the analyst to establish relationships with new objects, from which the theory is excluded. The necessary emotional distance between analyst and theory is thus given by the analyst’s living connection to his patients...

Cet article explore la relation transférentielle de l’analyste avec les théories, par l’examen de ses aspects narcissiques, non-narcissisques et oedipiens, tel que proposés par Caper (1999). Les aspects narcissiques du transfert se réfèrent à la capacité de l’analyste de projeter ses objets internes sur la théorie; les aspects non-narcissiques se réfèrent à sa capacité de percevoir la théorie comme un objet indépendant de ses projections; les aspects oedipiens se réfèrent à la capacité de l’analyste de projeter ses objets internes sur la théorie et de la percevoir comme quelque chose distinct de lui-même, en maintenant le paradoxe. La concepcion de la théorie comme séparée de soi-même implique de reconnaître qu’elle établit des relations avec d’autres objets, dont l’analyste est exclu; cette reconnaissance, à son tour, permet à l’analyste d’établir des relations avec de nouveaux objets, dont la théorie est exclue. La distance émotionnelle nécessaire entre l’analyste et la théorie est donc donnée par la vigoureuse connexion de l’analyste avec ses patients...

Este artículo explora la relación transferencial del analista con las teorías, examinando sus aspectos narcísicos, no-narcísicos y edipianos, conforme propuestos por Caper (1999). Los aspectos narcísicos de la transferencia se refieren a la capacidad del analista de proyectar sus objetos internos en la teoría; los aspectos no-narcísicos se refieren a su capacidad de percibir la teoría como un objeto independiente de sus proyecciones; los aspectos edipianos se refieren a la capacidad del analista de proyectar sus objectos internos en la teoría y a la vez percibirla como distinta del yo, manteniendo la paradoja. Percibir la teoría como distinta del yo es aceptar que esta establece relaciones con otros objectos, de los cuales el analista está excluido; tal aceptación, por su vez, le permite al analista establecer relaciones con nuevos objectos, de los cuales la teoría está excluida. La necesaria distancia emocional entre analista y teoría es así propiciada por la viva conexión del analista a sus pacientes...