Risky alcohol use during youth: Impact on emotion, cognitive networks, and resting-state EEG activity.

The identification of the risk factors of alcohol consumption in youths is crucial for early interventions focused on reducing harmful alcohol use. In our study, 82 college students (40 healthy control (CO group) and 42 with risky alcohol use (RAU group) determined by AUDIT questionnaire) between the ages of 18 and 25 years underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment covering emotional and cognitive functioning. Their resting-state activity was also recorded with an EEG for 10 min with their eyes open (EO) and 10 min with their eyes closed (EC) and analyzed using the Fitting Oscillations & One-Over-F (FOOOF) paradigm. After adjusting for sex, those in the RAU group had higher emotional dysregulation and impulsivity traits. The RAU girls presented more emotional regulation problems, such as dysregulation and negative urgency compared with the RAU boys. The RAU youths had significantly worse functioning in several cognitive domains, such as sustained attention, verbal memory, and executive functions. Cognitive network analysis revealed a different pattern of connections in each group showing that in the RAU group, the verbal memory domain had the highest connection with other cognitive functions. The EEG analyses did not reveal any significant differences between the CO and the RAU groups. However, we observed only in the EO condition that boys the from the RAU group displayed a higher theta/beta ratio than the RAU girls, whereas these differences were not observed within the CO group. Our findings highlight the need to explore more deeply the emotional, cognitive and brain changes underlying the RAU in young people.

The role of brain oscillations in feature integration.

Our sensory system is able to build a unified perception of the world, which although rich, is limited and inaccurate. Sometimes, features from different objects are erroneously combined. At the neural level, the role of the parietal cortex in feature integration is well-known. However, the brain dynamics underlying correct and incorrect feature integration are less clear. To explore the temporal dynamics of feature integration, we studied the modulation of different frequency bands in trials in which feature integration was correct or incorrect. Participants responded to the color of a shape target, surrounded by distractors. A calibration procedure ensured that accuracy was around 70% in each participant. To explore the role of expectancy in feature integration, we introduced an unexpected feature to the target in the last blocks of trials. Results demonstrated the contribution of several frequency bands to feature integration. Alpha and beta power was reduced for hits compared to illusions. Moreover, gamma power was overall larger during the experiment for participants who were aware of the unexpected target presented during the last blocks of trials (as compared to unaware participants). These results demonstrate that feature integration is a complex process that can go wrong at different stages of information processing and is influenced by top-down expectancies.

Persistent recruitment of somatosensory cortex during active maintenance of hand images in working memory.

Working memory (WM) supports temporary maintenance of task-relevant information. This process is associated with persistent activity in the sensory cortex processing the information (e.g., visual stimuli activate visual cortex). However, we argue here that more multifaceted stimuli moderate this sensory-locked activity and recruit distinctive cortices. Specifically, perception of bodies recruits somatosensory cortex (SCx) beyond early visual areas (suggesting embodiment processes). Here we explore persistent activation in processing areas beyond the sensory cortex initially relevant to the modality of the stimuli. Using visual and somatosensory evoked-potentials in a visual WM task, we isolated different levels of visual and somatosensory involvement during encoding of body and non-body-related images. Persistent activity increased in SCx only when maintaining body images in WM, whereas visual/posterior regions' activity increased significantly when maintaining non-body images. Our results bridge WM and embodiment frameworks, supporting a dynamic WM process where the nature of the information summons specific processing resources.

Substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines: synthesis, characterization, antitumor activity and other biological properties.

This work deals with the molecular design, synthesis and biological activity of a series of tetrahydro[1,4]dioxanisoquinolines and dimethoxyisoquinoline analogues. This study describes the synthesis strategy of these potential antitumor compounds, their multi-step synthesis and their optimization. A series of tetrahydroisoquinolines was synthesized and their cytotoxicity evaluated. Some of these tetrahydroisoquinolines showed promising KRas inhibition, antiangiogenesis activity and antiosteoporosis properties. Molecular modeling studies showed that compound 12 bind in the p1 pocket of the KRas protein making interactions with the hydrophobic residues Leu56, Tyr64, Tyr71 and Thr74 and hydrogen bonds with residues Glu37 and Asp38.

Negative induced mood influences word production: An event-related potentials study with a covert picture naming task.

The present event-related potentials (ERPs) study investigated the effects of mood on phonological encoding processes involved in word generation. For this purpose, negative, positive and neutral affective states were induced in participants during three different recording sessions using short film clips. After the mood induction procedure, participants performed a covert picture naming task in which they searched letters. The negative compared to the neutral mood condition elicited more negative amplitudes in a component peaking around 290ms. Furthermore, results from source localization analyses suggested that this activity was potentially generated in the left prefrontal cortex. In contrast, no differences were found in the comparison between positive and neutral moods. Overall, current data suggest that processes involved in the retrieval of phonological information during speech generation are impaired when participants are in a negative mood. The mechanisms underlying these effects were discussed in relation to linguistic and attentional processes, as well as in terms of the use of heuristics.

The HLA-DQ2 genotype selects for early intestinal microbiota composition in infants at high risk of developing coeliac disease.

OBJECTIVE: Intestinal dysbiosis has been associated with coeliac disease (CD), but whether the alterations are cause or consequence of the disease is unknown. This study investigated whether the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ2 genotype is an independent factor influencing the early gut microbiota composition of healthy infants at family risk of CD. DESIGN: As part of a larger prospective study, a subset (n=22) of exclusively breastfed and vaginally delivered infants with either high genetic risk (HLA-DQ2 carriers) or low genetic risk (non-HLA-DQ2/8 carriers) of developing CD were selected from a cohort of healthy infants with at least one first-degree relative with CD. Infant faecal microbiota was analysed by 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing and real time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: Infants with a high genetic risk had significantly higher proportions of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria and lower proportions of Actinobacteria compared with low-risk infants. At genus level, high-risk infants had significantly less Bifidobacterium and unclassified Bifidobacteriaceae proportions and more Corynebacterium, Gemella, Clostridium sensu stricto, unclassified Clostridiaceae, unclassified Enterobacteriaceae and Raoultella proportions. Quantitative real time PCR also revealed lower numbers of Bifidobacterium species in infants with high genetic risk than in those with low genetic risk. In high-risk infants negative correlations were identified between Bifidobacterium species and several genera of Proteobacteria (Escherichia/Shigella) and Firmicutes (Clostridium). CONCLUSIONS: The genotype of infants at family risk of developing CD, carrying the HLA-DQ2 haplotypes, influences the early gut microbiota composition. This finding suggests that a specific disease-biased host genotype may also select for the first gut colonisers and could contribute to determining disease risk.

Interplay between human leukocyte antigen genes and the microbial colonization process of the newborn intestine.

Coeliac disease (CD) development involves genetic (HLA-DQ2/DQ8) and environmental factors. Herein, the influence of the HLA-DQ genotype on the gut colonization process of breast-fed children was determined. A cohort of 20 newborns, with at least one first-degree relative with CD, were classified according to their HLA-DQ genotype into high, intermediate and low genetic risk groups, showing 24-28%, 7-8% and less than 1% probability to develop CD, respectively. Faecal microbiota was analysed at 7 days, 1 and 4 months of children's age by fluorescence in situ hybridization. When considering all data, Gram-negative bacteria and Bacteroides-Prevotella group proportions were higher (P<0.05) in the high than in the intermediate and low genetic risk groups. E. coli, Streptococcus-Lactococcus, E. rectale-C. coccoides, sulphate-reducing bacteria, C. lituseburense and C. histolyticum group proportions were also significantly higher (P<0.05) in the high than in the low genetic risk group. Correlations between these bacterial groups and the genetic risk were also detected (P<0.05). In addition, the number and type of CD relative seemed to influence (P<0.050) these bacterial proportions in children at CD risk. At 4 months of age, similar relationships were established between the high genetic risk to develop CD and the proportions of Streptococcus-Lactococcus (P<0.05), E. rectale-C. coccoides (P<0.05), C. lituseburense (P<0.05), C. histolyticum (P<0.05), Bacteroides-Prevotella (P<0.10) groups and total Gram-negative bacteria (P<0.05). The results suggest a relationship between HLA-DQ genes and the gut microbial colonization process that could lead to a change in the way this disorder is investigated.

Cambios en la actividad cerebral en el envejecimiento normal en una tarea con interferencia valorados mediante magnetoencefalografía / Magnetoencephalographic assessment of changes in brain activity in normal aging when performing a task under interference conditions

Objetivo: determinar si la realización de una tarea de reconocimiento con interferencia activa, producía cambios en los patrones de activación cerebral con respecto a la presentación de otra con interferencia pasiva. Población y metodología: en veinte ancianos sanos se midió con magnetoencefalografía. Se realizó a cada uno de ellos la escala de Memoria de Wechsler-III (WMS-III), la escala de Inteligencia de Wechsler, el Boston Naming Test, el test de fluidez verbal, el test de clasificación de tarjetas de Wisconsin, el trail Making Test y el test de colores y palabras (STROOP). Los registros se llevaron a cabo mediante un magnetoencefalógrafo de 148 canales capaz de medir la actividad magnética generada en toda la convexidad craneal. Resultados: encontramos una mayor activación en la condición de interferencia activa en las regiones mediales temporales, corteza visual, y región ventral anterior durante los primeros 400 milisegundos en el hemisferio izquierdo y únicamente en el derecho para la corteza visual, mientras que en la condición de interferencia pasiva, se obtuvo una mayor activación en la región ventral anterior durante los 700-800 milisegundos en el hemisferio izquierdo. Conclusión: la presentación de estos dos tipos de interferencia, activa y pasiva, modula los patrones de activación fronto-temporales en el envejecimiento normal (AU)

Objective: To determine whether performing a recognition task under interference conditions produces changes in brain activity pattern compared with the activity seen under conditions of passive interference. Population and methods: Twenty healthy elderly subjects were subjected to magnetoencephalography. In each patient we applied the Wechsler Memory Scale-III (WMS-III), the Wechsler Intelligence Scale, the Boston Naming Test, the verbal fluency test, the Wisconsin card classification test, the Trail Making Test and the colors and words test (STROOP). The recordings were made using a 148-channel magnetoencephalograph capable of measuring the magnetic activity generated within the entire cranial convexity. Results: Greater activation was recorded under active interference conditions in the medial temporal regions, visual cortex and anterior ventral area in the first 400 ms in the left hemisphere and only in the right hemisphere for the visual cortex, while under passive interference conditions, increased activation was obtained in the anterior ventral region during the 700-800 ms in the left hemisphere. Conclusion: The presentation of both types of interference, active and passive, modulates the fronto-temporal activation patterns in normal aging (AU)

Increased biomagnetic activity in the ventral pathway in mild cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVE: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients represent an intermediary state between healthy aging and dementia. MCI activation profiles, recorded during a memory task, have been studied either through high spatial resolution or high temporal resolution techniques. However, little is known about the benefit of combining both dimensions. Here, we investigate, by means of magnetoencephalography (MEG), whether spatio-temporal profiles of neuromagnetic activity could differentiate between MCI and age-matched elderly participants. METHODS: Taking the advantage of the high temporal resolution and good spatial resolution of MEG, neuromagnetic activity from 15 elderly MCI patients and 20 age-matched controls was recorded during the performance of a modified version of the Sternberg paradigm. RESULTS: Behavioral performance was similar in both groups. A between group analysis revealed that MCI patients showed bilateral higher activity in the ventral pathway, in both the target and the non-target stimuli. A within-group analysis of the target stimuli, indicates a lack of asymmetry through all late latency windows in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: MCI patients showed a compensatory mechanism represented by an increased bilateral activity of the ventral pathway in order to achieve a behavioral performance similar to the control group. SIGNIFICANCE: This spatio-temporal pattern of activity could be another tool to differentiate between healthy aging and MCI patients.

Genetic analyses of celiac disease in a Spanish population confirm association with CELIAC3 but not with CELIAC4.

Genetic predisposition to celiac disease (CD) is determined primarily by the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes (CELIAC1 region; 6p21), although many loci are involved in disease susceptibility. First, we have analysed a large series of CD patients from the Spanish Mediterranean region who had previously been characterised for the HLA complex. We have investigated how relevant regions contribute to CD susceptibility: CELIAC3 (CD28/CTLA4/ICOS region on 2q33) and CELIAC4 (19p13) as well as the tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and the linfotoxin loci by case-control and association analyses. We highlight the association with the +49*A allele of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 locus (P = 0.01), and the -308*A of TNF-alpha locus (P = 0.0008) in DQ2 individuals, although an independent role for TNF-alpha as risk factor has not been proven. Moreover, we do not confirm the association with the CELIAC4 region polymorphisms described in other populations.

[The neurobiological foundations of learning disabilities]. / Bases neurobiológicas de las dificultades de aprendizaje.

INTRODUCTION: Learning disabilities constitute a heterogeneous group of disorders that involve significant alterations in different cognitive domains (acquisition and use of language, reasoning, mathematical skills, visuospatial abilities, and so forth) that are not accounted for by a low level of intelligence, inadequate sociocultural development or lack of academic opportunities. They result from an alteration in basic psychological processes, developmentally linked to an alteration in the central nervous system. Current functional neuroimaging techniques have made it possible to develop a new type of approach to the neurofunctional foundations underlying these disorders, especially with regard to difficulties in the realm of reading/ writing (developmental dyslexia) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which have their highest incidence among the infantile population of school-age children. DEVELOPMENT: Neuroimaging studies have revealed a pattern of atypical activity in both kinds of disorders. In the case of dyslexia, alterations have been observed in the perisylvian circuits that underlie the mechanisms involved in reading skills. Studies into ADHD suggest a fronto-striatal dysfunction linked to the difficulties encountered to achieve inhibitory control, as well as alterations in the inferior parietal and posterior temporal cortex. CONCLUSIONS: Functional neuroimaging studies have shown that the clinical manifestations of these disorders are not only due to a dysfunction in specific areas of the brain, but also to alterations in the pattern of connectivity.

Bases neurobiológicas de las dificultades de aprendizaje / The neurobiological foundations of learning disabilities

Introducción. Las dificultades de aprendizaje comprendenun grupo heterogéneo de trastornos que implican alteracionessignificativas en diferentes dominios cognitivos (adquisición y usodel lenguaje, razonamiento, habilidades matemáticas, visuoespaciales,etc.) no justificadas por bajo nivel intelectual, desarrollosociocultural inadecuado o falta de oportunidades académicas.Éstas son el resultado de una alteración en los procesos psicológicosbásicos, evolutivamente ligados a una alteración del sistemanervioso central. Las actuales técnicas de neuroimagen funcionalhan permitido un nuevo tipo de acercamiento a las bases neurofuncionalesde estos trastornos, particularmente de las dificultades enel ámbito de la lectoescritura (dislexia evolutiva) y del trastornopor déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH), los cuales tienenel mayor nivel de incidencia en la población escolar infantil. Desarrollo.Los estudios de neuroimagen han revelado un patrón de actividadatípico en ambos tipos de trastorno. En el caso de la dislexia,se han observado alteraciones de los circuitos perisilvianosque sustentan los mecanismos de lectura. Los estudios sobre TDAHsugieren una disfunción frontoestriatal ligada a las dificultadespara el control inhibitorio, así como alteraciones en la cortezatemporal posterior y parietal inferior. Conclusiones. Los estudiosde neuroimagen funcional revelan que las manifestaciones clínicasde estos trastornos no se deben sólo a la disfunción de áreas cerebralesconcretas, sino también a alteraciones en el patrón de conectividad

Introduction. Learning disabilities constitute a heterogeneous group of disorders that involve significant alterationsin different cognitive domains (acquisition and use of language, reasoning, mathematical skills, visuospatial abilities, and soforth) that are not accounted for by a low level of intelligence, inadequate sociocultural development or lack of academicopportunities. They result from an alteration in basic psychological processes, developmentally linked to an alteration in thecentral nervous system. Current functional neuroimaging techniques have made it possible to develop a new type of approachto the neurofunctional foundations underlying these disorders, especially with regard to difficulties in the realm of reading/writing (developmental dyslexia) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which have their highest incidenceamong the infantile population of school-age children. Development. Neuroimaging studies have revealed a pattern ofatypical activity in both kinds of disorders. In the case of dyslexia, alterations have been observed in the perisylvian circuitsthat underlie the mechanisms involved in reading skills. Studies into ADHD suggest a fronto-striatal dysfunction linked to thedifficulties encountered to achieve inhibitory control, as well as alterations in the inferior parietal and posterior temporalcortex. Conclusions. Functional neuroimaging studies have shown that the clinical manifestations of these disorders are notonly due to a dysfunction in specific areas of the brain, but also to alterations in the pattern of connectivity

Bases neurológicas del lenguaje. Aportaciones desde la magnetoencefalografía / Neurological basis of language: contributions from magnetoencephalography

Objetivo. Presentar una revisión de las aportaciones de la magnetoencefalografía al estudio de las bases cerebralesdel procesamiento del lenguaje, con especial atención a los trabajos centrados en las alteraciones que pueden sufrir. Desarrollo.La magnetoencefalografía es una técnica de neuroimagen funcional capaz de caracterizar con alta precisión espacialy temporal patrones de actividad cerebral. Estas propiedades permiten no sólo un estudio teórico de las bases neuronalesdel procesamiento verbal, sino: a) establecer un sencillo protocolo capaz de localizar las áreas receptivas del lenguaje enla corteza cerebral, con gran utilidad a la hora de proporcionar información valiosa en casos que necesitan intervención quirúrgica;b) utilizar ese mismo protocolo para estudiar la reorganización funcional del procesamiento lingüístico en diferentespatologías como la afasia o la epilepsia; y c) proporcionar información sobre las alteraciones cerebrales involucradas entrastornos evolutivos del lenguaje como la dislexia o el trastorno específico del lenguaje, en los que la existencia de disfuncionesneurológicas aún no está clara. Conclusiones. La evidencia actual apunta a que los mecanismos neurológicos involucradosen el procesamiento del lenguaje, tanto en sujetos normales como en personas con diferentes patologías, implican uncomplejo patrón espaciotemporal de actividad cerebral. En ese sentido, la magnetoencefalografía resulta una técnica fundamentala la hora de iluminar la organización neurocognitiva del lenguaje

Aim. To present a review on magnetoencephalographic contributions to the study of the neurological basis oflanguage processing and its disorders. Development. Magnetoencephalography is a functional neuroimaging technique thatallows high spatial and temporal resolution characterization of brain activity patterns. Due to these features we can afford,not just a theoretical approach to verbal processing neuronal bases, but: a) to establish a simple procedure which enables thelocalization of language receptive areas in the brain cortex, highly valuable information for surgical purposes; b) to use thissame procedure for the study of functional reorganization of linguistic processes as in aphasia or epilepsy; and c) to provideinformation regarding brain abnormalities involving language evolutive disorders, such as dyslexia and specific languageimpairment, for which a neurological dysfunctions have not yet been established. Conclusions. Current evidence suggests acomplex spatio-temporal activation pattern for the neurological mechanisms involved in language processing, for both normalsubjects and people with different language disorders. In this sense, magnetoencephalography is a relevant tool that wouldshed some light onto language neurocognitive organization

Nuevas aportaciones a la neurobiología del trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad desde la magnetoencefalografía / Recent contributions form magnetoencephalography to the neruobiology of attention-defcit/hyperactivity disorder

Introducción y desarrollo. Las teorías vigentes sobre el trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad (TDAH) postulan que su déficit cognitivo primario consiste en una disfunción ejecutiva. En los últimos años, los estudios realizados con técnicas de neuroimagen han aportado evidencia, tanto anatómica como funcional, que apoya la hipótesis de una disfunción frontoestriatal en este trastorno. Sin embargo, recientes estudios de neuroimagen han encontrado alteraciones a nivel anatómico y funcional en regiones corticales posteriores, como la corteza parietal inferior y la corteza temporal posterior, que se han relacionado con una disfunción en la atención selectiva. Los estudios realizados con potenciales relacionados con acontecimientos discretos (PRAD) muestran que los niños con TDAH presentan alteraciones en componentes tempranos (durante los primeros 200 ms de procesamiento), como P1 o N1, que son sensibles al efecto de la atención selectiva. Estos hallazgos introducen dudas sobre si la disfunción frontoestriatal/ejecutiva es el déficit primario en el TDAH. Conclusiones. Uno de los objetivos principales de la investigación sobre el TDAH debería ser la búsqueda de su déficit cognitivo primario y de los circuitos cerebrales que lo sustentan, por las importantes repercusiones que este hecho tiene sobre su diagnóstico y tratamiento. Técnicas con elevada resolución temporal como los PRAD o la magnetoencefalografía (MEG) pueden ser especialmente útiles para discriminar en qué momento del procesamiento cognitivo la actividad cerebral de los niños con TDAH empieza a presentar alteraciones, y como consecuencia, para ayudarnos a entender cuál es su déficit cognitivo primario (AU)

Introduction and development. Current theories postulate that the core cognitive deficit in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an executive dysfunction. Neuroimaging studies on the whole have provided both anatomical and functional evidence supporting the fronto-striatal dysfunction hypothesis in ADHD. However, recent neuroimaging studies have found anatomical and functional impairments in posterior cortical regions, such as the inferior parietal and posterior temporal cortices, which have been related to a deficit in selective attention. Event related potential (ERP) studies show that ADHD children have an impairment in early components (within the first 200 ms of processing), such as P1 or N1, both of which are sensitive to selective attention effects. These findings cast doubt regarding the fronto-striatal/executive dysfunction as the core deficit in ADHD. Conclusions. One of the main objectives of ADHD research is the search for its core cognitive deficit and the neural networks underlying it, because it has important repercussions over ADHD diagnosis and treatment. High temporal resolution techniques, such as ERP or magnetoencephalography (MEG) may be particularly useful in distinguishing the precise moment of cognitive processing during which the brain activity of children with ADHD begins to be impaired. As a consequence, this may help to elucidate the core cognitive deficit in ADHD (AU)

[Emergence and brain development of executive functions]. / Emergencia y desarrollo cerebral de las funciones ejecutivas.

Development of executive functions (EF) during childhood and adolescence is closely related to frontal lobe maturation and its connections with other cortical and subcortical structures. The main maturative processes are myelination and synaptic pruning, both of which work on the brain following a hierarchical model. Different studies agree with the fact that EF emerge at the age of 6 years. However, these studies have used complex neuropsychological tests, which require appropriate functioning of several cognitive functions. This is why differential development of different EF components cannot be observed. To do so, other studies have designed simpler tasks, which only need active maintenance of information and inhibition, both basic functions for the appropriate execution of more complex EF tasks. When these simple tasks are used, an early appearance of EF can already be noticed at the age of 12 months, and there are important advances between the third and fifth year. Consequently, the idea of the frontal lobe being "functionally silent" until adolescence seems definitively discarded.

Emergencia y desarrollo cerebral de las funciones ejecutivas / Emergence and brain development of executive functions

El desarrollo de las funciones ejecutivas (FE) durante la infancia y la adolescencia guarda una estrecha relación con la maduración del lóbulo frontal y de sus conexiones con otras estructuras corticales y subcorticales. Los principales procesos madurativos son la mielinización y la eliminación sináptica selectiva (o poda sináptica), que actúan sobre el cerebro siguiendo un modelo jerárquico. Distintos estudios coinciden en señalar que las FE emergen evolutivamente a los 6 años de edad. Sin embargo, estos estudios han empleado tests neuropsicológicos complejos que requieren un adecuado funcionamiento de varias funciones cognitivas, por lo que no permiten apreciar el desarrollo diferencial de los distintos componentes de las FE. Para ello otros estudios han diseñado tareas más simples que únicamente necesitan un mantenimiento activo de la información e inhibición, funciones que se consideran básicas para la adecuada ejecución de tareas más complejas de FE. Utilizando estas tareas simples se pueden observar inicios de FE ya a los 12 meses de edad e importantes avances entre los 3 y los 5 años, por lo que la idea de que el lóbulo frontal es "funcionalmente silente" hasta la adolescencia parece definitivamente desechada (AU)

Antitumor agents. Synthesis and biological evaluation of new compounds related to podophyllotoxin, containing the 2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin system.

New compounds with naphtho-fused systems were synthesized and evaluated as antitumor agents. The naphtho-fused systems 6 and 7, synthesized from the hydroxy-acetal, exhibit antitumor activity. The bis(phenylthio) derivatives were considered as possible precursors for lignan lactones (11). The hydroxy-naphthalen 6 showed a significant antineoplastic activity.