A Novel Lipase from Streptomyces exfoliatus DSMZ 41693 for Biotechnological Applications.

Genome mining of Streptomyces exfoliatus DSMZ 41693 has allowed us to identify four different lipase-encoding sequences, and one of them (SeLipC) has been successfully cloned and extracellularly expressed using Rhodococcus sp. T104 as a host. SeLipC was purified by one-step hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The enzyme is a monomeric protein of 27.6 kDa, which belongs to subfamily I.7 of lipolytic enzymes according to its phylogenetic analysis and biochemical characterization. The purified enzyme shows the highest activity at 60 °C and an optimum pH of 8.5, whereas thermal stability is significantly improved when protein concentration is increased, as confirmed by thermal deactivation kinetics, circular dichroism, and differential scanning calorimetry. Enzyme hydrolytic activity using p-nitrophenyl palmitate (pNPP) as substrate can be modulated by different water-miscible organic cosolvents, detergents, and metal ions. Likewise, kinetic parameters for pNPP are: KM = 49.6 µM, kcat = 57 s-1, and kcat/KM = 1.15 × 106 s-1·M-1. SeLipC is also able to hydrolyze olive oil and degrade several polyester-type polymers such as poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), poly(butylene succinate)-co-(butylene adipate) (PBSA), and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). Moreover, SeLipC can catalyze the synthesis of different sugar fatty acid esters by transesterification using vinyl laurate as an acyl donor, demonstrating its interest in different biotechnological applications.

Ethnoveterinary Medicine and Ethnopharmacology in the Main Transhumance Areas of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain).

In this study, we document the practices of ethnoveterinary medicine and ethnopharmacology in the context of traditional transhumance routes that cross Castilla La Mancha from north to south. Transhumance is a type of grazing system that allows advantage to be taken of winter pastures (wintering places) and summer pastures by seasonal movement, twice a year, of cattle and their shepherds. Our study is based on over 200 interviews (from 1994 to 2021) conducted in 86 localities along eight major transhumance routes "cañadas reales" and 25 other minor transhumance routes, and involved 210 informants, 89 single and 121 groups, and 562 individuals, of which the majority were men. Sixty-three recorded pathologies and their treatments are discussed. Two hundred and two species and substances, belonging to 92 different families, have been recorded from the interviews, of which most are plants. Amid the toxic plant species, the most cited in the interviews are Erophaca baetica (L.) Boiss., Lupinus angustifolius L., and Oenanthe crocata L. Some of the species reported as toxic were reservoirs of pathogens or markers for dangerous areas. One of the fields most widely covered in our study is that of prevention, protection, and control of endo- and ectoparasites. This control is carried out mainly by means of aromatic plants. As a polyvalent species, Daphne gnidium L. is outstanding, and it contributes one-tenth of the records of our study. Among the species of fundamentally therapeutic use, Cistus ladanifer L. stands out by far. Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) based on the repertories of ingredients, separates the routes whose most important sections run through siliceous terrain with its characteristic flora, especially in the provinces of Ciudad Real and Toledo, from the routes that run through the limestone terrain of Albacete and Cuenca, and link the Eastern Mancha and the "Serranía de Cuenca" with Andalusia and the Spanish Levant.

Structure-activity relationship studies on a Trp dendrimer with dual activities against HIV and enterovirus A71. Modifications on the amino acid.

We have recently described a new class of dendrimers with tryptophan (Trp) on the surface that show dual antiviral activities against HIV and EV71 enterovirus. The prototype compound of this family is a pentaerythritol derivative with 12 Trps on the periphery. Here we complete the structure-activity relationship studies of this family to identify key features that might be significant for the antiviral activity. With this aim, novel dendrimers containing different amino acids (aromatic and non-aromatic), tryptamine (a "decarboxylated" analogue of Trp) and N-methyl Trp on the periphery have been prepared. Dendrimer with N-Methyl Trp was the most active against HIV-1 and HIV-2 while dendrimer with tyrosine was endowed with the most potent antiviral activity against EV71. This tyrosine dendrimer proved to inhibit a large panel of EV71 clinical isolates (belonging to different clusters) in the low nanomolar/high picomolar range. In addition, a new synthetic procedure (convergent approach) has been developed for the synthesis of the prototype and some other dendrimers. This convergent approach proved more efficient (higher yields, easier purification) than the divergent approach previously reported.

Multivalent agents containing 1-substituted 2,3,4-trihydroxyphenyl moieties as novel synthetic polyphenols directed against HIV-1.

The synthesis and the assessment of the anti-HIV activity of a set of molecules inspired by the multivalent structures of some naturally-occurring polyphenols (tannins) are reported. Different multibranched scaffolds have been derived from pentaerythritol as the central core which distribute spatially synthetic polyphenolic subunits based on 1-substituted 2,3,4-trihydroxyphenyl moieties. A tetrapodal compound () bearing four N-(2,3,4-trihydroxyphenyl)amide groups, exhibits remarkable selective activity against HIV-1 with EC50 values in the micromolar scale, in the same range as those reported for the most representative anti-HIV tannins. Preliminary SAR studies emphasize the importance of the 1-substituted 2,3,4-trihydroxyphenyl moiety, the presence of an amide as the linker and the multivalent architecture of these molecules, since the anti-HIV activity increases with the number of polyphenolic moieties. The data support the interest in synthetic polyphenols and represent a promising starting point for further design and development of selective HIV-1 inhibitors.

Factores de riesgo asociados a toxoplasmosis en mujeres embarazadas en la unidad de control prenatal del centro de Salud Luis Lazo, ciudad de El Paraíso, Honduras. primer trimestre 2013

Debido a la falta de estudios sobre Toxoplasmosis en mujeres embarazadasen el país y en esta región se considero de interés analizar los factoresrelacionados con la Toxoplasmosis en este grupo y para tal fin se hizo unestudio de factores de riesgo en 88 mujeres embarazadas con edades entre15y 40 años que visitaron la unidad de control prenatal del Centro de Salud“Luis Lazo Arriaza” de la ciudad de El Paraíso en el primer Trimestre de 2013 alas que se les realizo una encuesta a través de un cuestionario y seguidamentese les tomo una muestra sanguínea para la determinación de anticuerpos antiToxoplasma.Encontrándose como resultados relevantes que la mayoría de ellas son amasde casa (57%) viviendo en unión libre(72%) y con un nivel de instrucciónprimario(61%),cuyos principales factores de riesgo para padecer la enfermedadson: falta de conocimiento sobre la misma (71%) ,no aplicar medidas deprevención como :lavado de manos ,mantener mascotas fuera de casa, cocinarbien los alimentos, encontrándose además una positividad de 48% para laprueba de anticuerpos IgM y asociación entre esta y presencia deabortos(40%) .Concluyéndose que este representa un problema de salud enesta región y su principal origen está en la falta de información sobre laenfermedad y sus medidas de prevención, siendo su principal complicación el aborto.

Recent developments in methodology for the direct oxyamination of olefins.

1,2-Amino alcohols are high-value, versatile functional groups that are found in scores of biologically active molecules and other interesting synthetic targets such as ligands and auxiliaries. Given their prominent position within organic compounds of import, it is no surprise to note that many routes have been developed to access this motif and there are many different starting points from which a synthetic chemist might embark on a synthesis. However, one particular approach stands out from the others, and this is the direct conversion of an alkene to a vicinal amino alcohol derivative (oxyamination). Research in this field has been particularly active in recent years and many interesting new methodologies have been reported. The purpose of this review is to give the reader a tour of the methods that have emerged in the last few years so one can appreciate the myriad of different metals and reagents that can accomplish the oxyamination of alkenes. There are still many challenges to be overcome and, herein, we also outline the areas that are ripe for further development and which bode well for the future.

Combinatorial gene therapy renders increased survival in cirrhotic rats.

BACKGROUND: Liver fibrosis ranks as the second cause of death in México's productive-age population. This pathology is characterized by accumulation of fibrillar proteins in hepatic parenchyma causing synthetic and metabolic disfunction. Remotion of excessive fibrous proteins might result in benefit for subjects increasing survival index. The goal of this work was to find whether the already known therapeutical effect of human urokinase Plasminogen Activator and human Matrix Metalloprotease 8 extends survival index in cirrhotic animals. METHODS: Wistar rats (80 g) underwent chronic intoxication with CCl4: mineral oil for 8 weeks. Cirrhotic animals were injected with a combined dose of Ad-delta-huPA plus Ad-MMP8 (3 x 10(11) and 1.5 x 10(11) vp/Kg, respectively) or with Ad-beta-Gal (4.5 x 10(11)) and were killed after 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days. Then, liver and serum were collected. An additional set of cirrhotic animals injected with combined gene therapy was also monitored for their probability of survival. RESULTS: Only the cirrhotic animals treated with therapeutical genes (Ad-delta-huPA+Ad-MMP-8) showed improvement in liver fibrosis. These results correlated with hydroxyproline determinations. A significant decrement in alpha-SMA and TGF-beta1 gene expression was also observed. Cirrhotic rats treated with Ad-delta-huPA plus Ad-MMP8 had a higher probability of survival at 60 days with respect to Ad-beta-Gal-injected animals. CONCLUSION: A single administration of Ad-delta-huPA plus Ad-MMP-8 is efficient to induce fibrosis regression and increase survival in experimental liver fibrosis.

Internal consistency of the Spanish health literacy test (TOFHLA-SPR) for Puerto Rico.

BACKGROUND: Low functional health literacy has been related to poor viral control, and lower levels of ART adherence in people living with HIV/AIDS. Research in functional health literacy among people living with HIV/AIDS in Puerto Rico (PR) is an unexplored area. The purpose of this paper is to describe how the full-length Spanish Version of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA-S) scale was adapted to PR. METHODS: Thirty participants (women = 16, men = 14) completed a basic demographic questionnaire, the TOFHLA-S and participated in an interview. Analyses were performed to examine the information provided by participants and the internal consistency of the TOFHLA-S. RESULTS: The mean age was 47.7 years (range 34-77). Thirty-seven percent had less than 12 years of formal schooling and 43% reported having education above high school. Changes suggested by participants included: increasing font size from 14 to 16 points for better readability and changes/simplification of several words in order to make them colloquial and comprehensible for the PR context. The reliability coefficient obtained for this scale was strong (estimated alpha = 0.95) however, differences were observed by subtype: numeracy (estimated alpha(num) = .819 vs. comprehension (estimated alpha =. 953). CONCLUSIONS: Based on this process, we have adapted the original version of the TOFHLA-S and the new version of the full-length TOFHLA-S, PR is now valid for further research and testing levels of functional health literacy in a larger sample in PR.

El proceso de admisión como predictor del rendimiento académico en la educación superior / The process of admission as a means of predicting academic performance in higher education

El objetivo de esta investigación fue conocer la validez predictiva del proceso de admisión en el rendimiento académico, en el primer año de la licenciatura en una universidad privada de la Ciudad de México. Se consideraron como variables predictoras del rendimiento las calificaciones en el Examen Nacional de Ingreso a la Educación Superior (EXANI II), el promedio general de preparatoria y el puntaje obtenido en el cuestionario sobre problemas sociales (DIT). Participaron 240 alumnos de ambos sexos, inscritos en la carrera de Psicología, que tenían en promedio 20 años. Los resultados permitieron observar que las calificaciones más altas que se obtuvieron en el EXANI-II fueron en las áreas de razonamiento verbal y numeric, y después en el área de español. Asimismo, se encontró que el puntaje en el EXANI-II, el promedio de bachillerato y el desarrollo moral permitieron predecir el rendimiento académico en el primer año de la carrera.

The objective of this investigation was to find out the predictive validity of the admission process regarding academic performance during the first year towards a degree in a private university in Mexico City. The grades derived from the National Examination for Admission into Higher Education (EXANI II), the general average grades from Senior High school and the points obtained through a questionnaire on social problems (DIT) were considered as variables for predicting performance. Two hundred and forty male and female students, registered in Psychology, took part in this investigation. Their average age was 20 years old. The results showed that the highest grades obtained in the EXANI II were in the areas of numeric and verbal reasoning followed by Spanish. Likewise, it was found that the number of points obtained in the EXANI II, the average high school grades and the students’ moral development made it possible to predict academic performance for the first year of their career.

Synthesis of highly substituted enantiopure piperazines and ketopiperazines from vicinal N-sulfinyl diamines.

Enantiopure 1-benzyl-2,3-disubstituted piperazines (4) have been synthesized by treatment of N-sulfinyl-N-benzyldiamino alcohols (1) with diethyl oxalate and sodium methoxide followed by reduction with borane. Alternatively, the sulfinamido group was preserved by an N-acylation/cyclization protocol using alpha-chloroacetyl chloride that led to the synthesis of N-sulfinyl ketopiperazines (11). Ensuing elimination of the sulfinyl group with NaH produced imino ketopiperazines (9) that are suitably functionalized for nucleophilic addition to the imino moiety. Stereoselective and high yielding allylation of imino ketopiperazines (9c) was achieved under Barbier conditions using CeCl3.7H2O as the additive.

[Surgical treatment results of congenital heart defects in children with Down's syndrome]. / Resultados en la corrección quirúrgica de la cardiopatía congénita en el síndrome de Down.

We made a retrospective study of patients with Down's syndrome that were surgically treated for correction or palliation for their congenital heart disease between january 1996 to december of the 2000 in the National Institute of Cardiology "Ignacio Chávez". We analyzed these variables: age at the surgical moment, sex, congenital heart defect, pulmonary arterial pressure, type of surgery, time of stay in the intensive care unit, complications and mortality. In this period they were surgically treated 37 patients. The mean age was of 2 years with 8 months with a range of 2 months to 17 years. The interventricular defect was the most frequent one (35%) and it was associated to persistent ductus arteriosus in the 61% of the cases. Six patients (16%) had atrioventricular septal defect, the half of them type A and other half type C of Rastelli classification. Twelve patients (32%) had one lesion persistent ductus arteriosus. Three patients had tetralogy of Fallot and two atrial septal defect. Pulmonary hypertension was found in 90% of the patients, in 23 was severe (62%), moderate in 5 and slight in 6 (16%). The surgical treatment was corrective in 89% patients and the average time of stay in intensive care unit was of 2.5 days. The most frequent complication was rhythm and conduction disorders, in 8 patients (22%), three with complete AV block and the mortality was of 8%. In the patients with Down's syndrome is important a complete clinical evaluation with an eye toward establishing an opportune surgical treatment.

Resultados en la corrección quirúrgica de la cardiopatía congénita en el síndrome de Down / Result of surgiccal treatment of congenital heart defects in children with down's syndrome

Se realizó estudio retrospectivo de pacientes con síndrome de Down que fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente para corrección o paliación de su cardiopatía congénita de enero de 1996 a diciembre del 2000 en el Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez". Las variables analizadas fueron: edad al momento quirúrgico, sexo, tipo de cardiopatía, presión pulmonar y cirugía practicada, tiempo de estancia en la unidad de terapia intensiva, complicaciones y mortalidad. En el periodo analizado fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente 37 pacientes. La media de edad fue de 2 años con 8 meses con un rango de 2 meses a 17 años. La comunicación interventricular fue la cardiopatía más frecuente (35%) y estuvo asociada a persistencia del conducto arterioso en el 61% de los casos. Seis pacientes (16%) tenían defecto de la tabicación atrioventricular, la mitad tipo A y la otra mitad tipo C de Rastelli. Doce pacientes (32%) tenían como única lesión la persistencia del conducto arterioso. Tres pacientes tuvieron tetralogía de Fallot y dos comunicación interatrial. 34 de los pacientes (90%) tenían hipertensión arterial pulmonar siendo leve en 6, moderada en 5 y severa en 23 (62%). El tipo de cirugía fue correctivo en el 89% de los pacientes y el tiempo de estancia promedio en terapia intensiva fue de 2.5 días. Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron los trastornos del ritmo y/o de conducción en 8 pacientes (22%), tres correspondieron a bloqueo AV completo, y la mortalidad fue del 8%. En el niño con síndrome de Down es importante una evaluación clínica completa con miras a establecer un tratamiento quirúrgico oportuno.

We made a retrospective study of patients with Down's syndrome that were surgically treated for correction or paliation for their congenital heart disease between january 1996 to december of the 2000 in the National Institute of Cardiology "Ignacio Chávez". We analyzed these variables: age at the surgical moment, sex, congenital heart defect, pulmonary arterial pressure, type of surgery, time of stay in the intensive care unit, complications and mortality. In this period they were surgically treated 37 patients. The mean age was of 2 years with 8 months with a range of 2 months to 17 years. The interventricular defect was the most frequent one (35%) and it was associated to persistent ductus arteriosus in the 61% of the cases. Six patients(16%) had atrioventricular septal defect, the half of them type A and other half type C of Rastelli classification. Twelve patients (32%) had one lesion persistent ductus arteriosus. Three patients had tetralogy of Fallot and two atrial septal defect. Pulmonary hypertension was found in 90% of the patients, in 23 was severe (62%), moderate in 5 and slight in 6 (16%). The surgical treatment was corrective in 89% patients and the average time of stay in intensive care unit was of 2.5 days. The most frequent complication was rhythm and conduction disorders, in 8 patients (22%), three with complete AV block and the mortality was of 8%. In the patients with Down´s syndrome is important a complete clinical evaluation with an eye toward establishing an opportune surgical treatment. (Arch Cardiol Mex 2004; 74:39-44).

Fine-tuned aminal cleavage: a concise route to differentially protected enantiopure syn-alpha,beta-diamino Esters.

A survey of routes for aminal cleavage of N-sulfinylimidazolidines has been carried out, and selective conditions to cleave the aminal moiety while preserving the sulfinamide group unaltered have been found. Thus, the treatment of enantiopure N-sulfinylimidazolidines with aqueous H(3)PO(4) in THF affords enantiopure N-sulfinyldiamino esters in excellent yields, while the presence of MeOH as cosolvent allows for the simultaneous removal of the sulfinamide group and aminal cleavage. The behavior of these substrates in a variety of chemical transformations has been explored.

[Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its therapeutic applications]. / Factor de crecimiento de hepatocitos (HGF) y sus aplicaciones terapéuticas.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) also known as "scatter factor" (SF), was identified for the first time as a potent mitogen of primary cultured hepatocytes; it has multiple biological responses in a variety of cells including mitogenic, motogenic, morphogenic and antiapoptotic activities. It is secreted as an inactive single chain protein and isproteolitically cleaved to form an active two chain HGF. The hepatocyte growth factor activator (HGFA) is the principal activator of HGF. HGF exerts its biological effects through transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor (c-Met). HGF is a growth factor displaying a remarkable ability to promote tissue repair and organ regeneration after injury. Therefore attention should be set on the clinical potential of HGF as a treatment for various diseases.

Highly diastereoselective[3+2] cycloadditions between nonracemic p-tolysulfinimines and iminoesters: an efficient entry to enantiopure imidazolidines and vicinal diaminoalcohols.

A new procedure for the asymmetric synthesis of imidazolidines and vicinal diamines is reported. The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between nonracemic p-tolylsulfinimines and azomethine ylides generated in situ from alpha-iminoesters and LDA produces N-sulfinylimidazolidines with a high degree of stereocontrol. In contrast, the presence of Lewis acids promotes formation of the cycloadducts through a highly diastereoselective process with opposite stereochemistry. Subsequent transformations of the imidazolidines including oxidative, reductive, and hydrolytic processes that provide easy access to vicinal diaminoalcohols have been explored. Among these, reductive cleavage of the aminal with LiAlH4 is an extremely efficient and general reaction for the synthesis of enantiopure N-sulfinyl-N'-benzyldiaminoalcohols