Coordination and Bioorganometallic Chemistry: Exploring the Potential Applications of Metal Coordination and Organometallic Complexes in Medical and Microbiological Advancements.

In the field of coordination and bioorganometallic chemistry, a notable shift is occurring. This mini-review explores a new generation of carefully 3D-crafted coordination and organometallic complexes that differ from conventional structures. Emphasizing disease intervention and microbial control, these compounds, incorporate noble and transition metals, and aim to enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing potential health risks. The mini-review covers diverse applications, showcasing their effectiveness against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and as potential tools in cancer treatment. Additionally, it sheds light on the inventive aspects of these complexes within biological systems. By highlighting advancements in bioorganometallic chemistry, the review offers insights and guidance for future developments in safer and more effective therapeutics.

Chronic administration of thiamine pyrophosphate decreases age-related histological atrophic testicular changes and improves sexual behavior in male Wistar rats.

Aging is a multifactorial universal process and constitutes the most important risk factor for chronic-degenerative diseases. Although it is a natural process, pathological aging arises when these changes occur quickly and the body is not able to adapt. This is often associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), inflammation, and a decrease in the endogenous antioxidant systems, constituting a physiopathological state commonly found in chronic-degenerative diseases. At the testicular level, aging is associated with tissue atrophy, decreased steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis, and sexual behavior disorders. This situation, in addition to the elevated generation of ROS in the testicular steroidogenesis, provides a critical cellular environment causing oxidative damage at diverse cellular levels. To assess the effects of a reduction in the levels of ROS, thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) was chronically administered in senile Wistar rats. TPP causes an activation of intermediate metabolism routes, enhancing cellular respiration and decreasing the generation of ROS. Our results show an overall decrease of atrophic histological changes linked to aging, with higher levels of serum testosterone, sexual activity, and an increase in the levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes in TPP-treated animals. These results suggest that TPP chronic administration decreases the progression of age-related atrophic changes by improving the intermediate metabolism, and by increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes.

Plastidic isoprenoid biosynthesis in tomato: physiological and molecular analysis in genotypes resistant and sensitive to drought stress.

Isoprenoid compounds synthesised in the plastids are involved in plant response to water deficit. The functionality of the biosynthetic pathway of these compounds under drought stress has been analysed at the physiological and molecular levels in two related species of tomato (Solanum chilense and Solanum lycopersicum) that differ in their tolerance to abiotic challenge. Expression analysis of the genes encoding enzymes of these pathways (DXS, IPI, GGPPS, PSY1, NCED and HPT1) in plants at different RWC values shows significant differences for only GGPPS and HPT1, with higher expression in the tolerant S. chilense. Chlorophyll, carotenoids, α-tocopherol and ABA content was also determined in both species under different drought conditions. In agreement with HPT1 transcriptional activity, higher α-tocopherol content was observed in S. chilense than in S. lycopersicum, which correlates with a lower degree of lipoperoxidation in the former species. These results suggest that, in addition to lower stomatal conductance, α-tocopherol biosynthesis is part of the adaptation mechanisms of S. chilense to adverse environmental conditions.

[Prevalence of depression in hospitalized patients over 65 years old in a medical service of the Military Hospital of Santiago]. / Prevalencia de depresión en pacientes mayores de 65 años hospitalizados en el Servicio de Medicina del Hospital Militar de Santiago.

AIM: To study the frequency of depression in elderly patients admitted to the Internal Medicine Service of an Institutional Hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients over 65 years old admitted to the Internal Medicine Service of the Military Hospital at Santiago. Chile were assessed using the CDS-20 depression questionnaire and the FROMAGE score for dementia. RESULTS: One hundred twenty seven patients (71 female), were assessed. According to the FROMAGE score, 30% had moderate and 35% had severe dementia. Ten percent of males and 12% of females were depressive. Moderately demented patients, females, subjects with low educational levels and those living alone had a higher frequency of depression. According to DSM-III the most frequent diagnosis among depressive patients was "adjustment disorder with depressive mood". Attending physicians made the diagnosis in only 11% of patients with depression. CONCLUSIONS: Depression is frequent among hospitalized elders.

[The clock test: a simple method to assess dementia]. / Prueba del reloj: un método simple para evaluar demencia.

AIM: to validate an easy and simple test to measure cognitive function: the clock drawing test. STUDY DESIGN: 138 hospitalized and free living elders (96 female, mean age 77.9 years) were studied. They were requested to draw a clock, using standardized instructions. The drawings were independently analyzed and scored by the authors. The Mini Mental State test was used as reference and the scores of both tests were correlated. RESULTS: there was a correlation of 0.73 between the scores of the clock drawing and Mini Mental State tests. Using a score of 7 points in tye clock drawing and 26 points in the Mini Mental State test as cut of points for the diagnosis of dementia, the former's sensitivity and specificity was 0.82 and 0.71 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: the clock drawing test appears as a simple and effective test for the initial assessment of cognitive functions in patients with suspected dementia.

[Dental caries in an animal model]. / Caries dental en un modelo animal.

Sprague-Dawley rats were inoculated with Streptococcus mutans (serotype g) and the effect of different concentrations (20, 40 and 56%) of sucrose in the diet on the establishment of this strain into the oral cavity of rats was studied. The Streptococcus mutans was well established in all the experimental groups and we found an almost linear correlation between the sucrose concentration and the severity of dental caries. Another factor that played an important role on the establishment of Streptococcus mutans into the mouth of rats was the inoculum size used. In this work a concentration of 4 x 10(10) showed a consistent establishment onto the teeth of this animal model.

[Inhibitory effects of a hot water extract from Japanese tea on the cell growth of mutans streptococci].

This study was undertaken to examine the effect of a hot water extract from Japanese tea on the cellular growth of mutans streptococci in vitro. The extract contained polyphenol compounds, mainly catechin derivatives. Few fluoride components were contained in the extract. Streptococcus mutans MT8148R (serotype c) and S. sobrinus MT6715 (serotype g) strains were used in the present study. The organisms (10-10(7) CFU/ml) were cultured in brain heart infusion (BHI) and tryptose phosphate (TP) broths containing the tea extract (0-8 mg/ml). After incubation for 24-48 hours the cell numbers in the cultures were determined. Furthermore, cell growth of these strains on BHI agar plates containing the extract (0-2 mg/ml) were examined. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The tea extract (2-8 mg/ml) in BHI broth inhibited remarkably the growth of S. mutans and S. sobrinus (inoculum size; 10(6) CFU/ml). No difference in susceptibility to the tea extract between S. mutans and S. sobrinus was noted. 2. The cell growth of both strains in TP broth was inhibited by the tea extract. However S. sobrinus was found to be more sensitive to the extract than S. mutans. 3. Growth of S. sobrinus cells on the BHI agar plate was suppressed by the tea extract more effectively than that of S. mutans. These results suggest that the tea extract would be useful as an anti-cariogenic agent.