An integrated ecological approach to countering targeted violence on the U.S.-Mexico border: Insights and lessons learned.

Well-integrated and productive communities are an asset to the development and advancement of our nation, and they have an important role to play in planning, learning, and enforcing safety to enhance national and border security. REACH (Resilience, Education, Action, Commitment, and Humanity) is a community-based project housed at The University of Texas at El Paso that aims to prevent targeted violence and domestic terrorism in El Paso County. We integrated three frameworks (i.e., Whole Community Preparedness, Socio-Ecological Model, and Global Citizen Education) to involve local residents in efforts to combat and mitigate targeted violence. REACH had two goals: to (1) prevent targeted violence and domestic terrorism through education, outreach, and community capacity-building aimed at identifying and deterring radicalization (primary prevention) and (2) reduce the short-term and long-term impact and prevent re-occurrence of targeted violence and domestic terrorism (secondary and tertiary prevention). Overall, our project served 8,934 participants directly and reached many more through our media cavmpaigns and outreach efforts during our 2 years of project implementation (2021-2023). Our project design may serve as an implementation model for other community-based projects on the U.S.-Mexico border and can be replicated with other target populations in the U.S. Insights and lessons learned from this project are discussed.

Targeting quorum sensing by designing azoline derivatives to inhibit the N-hexanoyl homoserine lactone-receptor CviR: Synthesis as well as biological and theoretical evaluations.

To counteract bacterial resistance, we investigated the interruption of quorum sensing mediated by non-classical bioisosteres of the N-hexanoyl homoserine lactone with an azoline core. For this purpose, a set of selected 2-substituted azolines was synthesized, establishing the basis for a new protocol to synthesize 2-amino imidazolines. The synthesized compounds were evaluated as inhibitors of violacein production in Chromobacterium violaceum. Theoretical studies on bioisostere-protein interactions were performed using CviR. The results show that some azolines decreased violacein production, suggesting an antiquorum sensing profile against Gram-negative bacteria. Docking and molecular dynamic simulations together with binding free energy calculations revealed the exact binding and inhibitory profiles. These theoretical results show relationship with the in vitro activity of the azoline series.

Intramolecular H-bonding interaction in angular 3-π-EWG substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines contributes to conformational preference.

BACKGROUND: The proton at position 5 of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines substituted with an angular electron withdrawing group (EWG) at position 3, shows an unusual downfield chemical shift, which is usually explained in terms of a peri effect. However usage of this term is sometimes confusing. In this investigation, it is proposed that the aforementioned shift is in fact a combination of several factors: Anisotropy, long-distance mesomerism and an attractive intramolecular interaction of the electrostatic hydrogen bond type. RESULTS: Theoretical calculations were performed aimed to obtain evidence of the existence of an intramolecular non-bonding interaction between H-5 and the oxygen atom of the EWG. Results derived from conformational and vibrational analysis at the DFT B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory, the determination of Bond Critical Points derived from AIM theory, and the measurement of some geometrical parameters, support the hypothesis that the higher stability of the prevailing conformation in these molecules (that in which the oxygen of the EWG is oriented towards H-5) has its origin in an intramolecular interaction. CONCLUSION: Computational calculations predicted correctly the conformational preferences in angular 3-π-EWG-substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines. The existence of an electrostatic hydrogen bond between H-5 and the oxygen atom of the π-EWG was supported by several parameters, including X-ray crystallography. The existence of such structural array evidently impacts the H-5 chemical shift.

Fluorescent property of 3-hydroxymethyl imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine and pyrimidine derivatives.

BACKGROUND: Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and pyrimidines are important organic fluorophores which have been investigated as biomarkers and photochemical sensors. The effect on the luminescent property by substituents in the heterocycle and phenyl rings, have been studied as well. In this investigation, series of 3-hydroxymethyl imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and pyrimidines were synthesized and evaluated in relation to fluorescence emission, based upon the hypothesis that the hydroxymethyl group may act as an enhancer of fluorescence intensity. RESULTS: Compounds of both series emitted light in organic solvents dilutions as well as in acidic and alkaline media. Quantitative fluorescence spectroscopy determined that both fused heterocycles fluoresced more intensely than the parent unsubstituted imidazo[1,2-a]azine fluorophore. In particular, 3-hydroxymethyl imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines fluoresced more intensely than 3-hydroxymethyl imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines, the latter emitting blue light at longer wavelengths, whereas the former emitted purple light. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that in most cases the hydroxymethyl moiety did act as an enhancer of the fluorescence intensity, however, a comparison made with the fluorescence emitted by 2-aryl imidazo[1,2-a]azines revealed that in some cases the hydroxymethyl substituent decreased the fluorescence intensity.

Imidazolines as non-classical bioisosteres of N-acyl homoserine lactones and quorum sensing inhibitors.

A series of selected 2-substituted imidazolines were synthesized in moderate to excellent yields by a modification of protocols reported in the literature. They were evaluated as potential non-classical bioisosteres of AHL with the aim of counteracting bacterial pathogenicity. Imidazolines 18a, 18e and 18f at various concentrations reduced the violacein production by Chromobacterium violaceum, suggesting an anti-quorum sensing profile against Gram-negative bacteria. Imidazoline 18b did not affect the production of violacein, but had a bacteriostatic effect at 100 µM and a bactericidal effect at 1 mM. Imidazoline 18a bearing a hexyl phenoxy moiety was the most active compound of the series, rendering a 72% inhibitory effect of quorum sensing at 100 µM. Imidazoline 18f bearing a phenyl nonamide substituent presented an inhibitory effect on quorum sensing at a very low concentration (1 nM), with a reduction percentage of 28%. This compound showed an irregular performance, decreasing inhibition at concentrations higher than 10 µM, until reaching 100 µM, at which concentration it increased the inhibitory effect with a 49% reduction percentage. When evaluated on Serratia marcescens, compound 18f inhibited the production of prodigiosin by 40% at 100 µM.

Synthesis of demethylated nidulol via an intramolecular Michael reaction.

An expeditious synthesis of 5,7-dihydroxy-6-methylphthalide from open-chain precursors is described. The key intermediates, synthons 3 and 4, were readily obtained from accessible materials and were further transformed to a common precursor, a five-membered lactone derivative, via an intramolecular Michael addition. Lactone 2 was aromatised to the phthalide system under basic conditions. The process thus constitutes a formal synthesis of the phthalide framework.

Efecto anabólico y androgénico del esteroide acetato de trembolona en el guppy (Poecilia reticulata) / Anabolic and androgenic effect of steroid trenbolone acetate on guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

The effect of semi-synthetic steroid trenbolone acetate (TBA) on the ornamental fish Poecilia reticulata (guppy) was studied. The steroid at a dose of 300 mg/kg feed was administered to 30 days old juvenile specimens during 60 days. Forty days after treatment was ended, an evaluation aimed to determine the steroid residual effect was undertaken. Survival, masculinization ratio and the drug anabolic effect were analyzed. Results showed TBA to be effective to induce masculinization, differing (P < 0.001) with the control group, which registered 32% males and 68% females. TBA turned out to be an excellent anabolic as well, since treated fish showed weight increase, a larger body and an increased size of caudal fin. The steroid did not cause any damage on the treated population. The survival factor was 93.3% for the treated fish as compared to 83% for the control group.

Se investigó el efecto del esteroide semisintético acetato de trembolona (ATB) en el pez de ornato Poecilia reticulata (guppy). Especímenes juveniles de 30 días de edad fueron tratados con el esteroide a dosis de 300 mg/kg de alimento durante 60 días. Al término del tratamiento, 40 días después, se estimó el efecto residual del esteroide. Se analizó la sobrevivencia, la proporción de peces masculinizados, así como el efecto anabólico. Los resultados indicaron que el ATB es eficaz para inducir la masculinización, a diferencia del grupo testigo, donde se registraron 32% de machos. Asimismo, el ATB tuvo un efecto anabólico, ya que los peces tratados mostraron mayor peso y talla e incremento de la aleta caudal. El esteroide no causó daño en la población tratada, al sobrevivir 93.3% de los peces, comparado con 83% del grupo testigo.

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity evaluation of unsymmetrical selenides.

The alkylation reaction of 2,2'-diseleno and 4,4'-diseleno-bis(benzoic acid) derivatives in the presence of sodium borohydride and alkyl halides allowed the synthesis of various new o- and p-alkylselenenylated benzoic acid derivatives in good yields. The anti-inflammatory activity of selected selenide derivatives on granuloma induced by subcutaneous implantation of cotton pellets in Wistar rats was examined. Selenium derivatives 2a, 2c and 2e showed anti-inflammatory activity although to a lesser extent as compared to indomethacin, however they were found less toxic than the latter.

A high-throughput colorimetric and fluorometric microassay for the evaluation of nitroimidazole derivatives anti-trichomonas activity.

Several nitroimidazole derivatives were synthesized and tested as possible trichomonicidal agents. A fast, simple, practical and reliable in vitro colorimetric method was applied to the screening of the nitroimidazole derivatives anti-trichomonas activity. The colorimetric technique was based on the use of Alamar blue as a redox-indicator. The test was carried out both qualitatively (minimal inhibitory concentration determined by naked eye observation) and quantitatively (fluorometric determination of 50% and 90% inhibitory concentrations), the latter took advantage of the dye fluorometric properties. The performance of the method was excellent affording an exactitude 97.86% and a reproducibility of 95% and no interference of the trichomonas-culture medium was observed during the test. Some of the nitroimidazole compounds tested showed a fair trichomonicidal activity, however none of them was as active as the model compound, metronidazole.

Analisis de aberraciones cromosomicas para dosimetria citogenetica / Cytogenetic dosimetry

Se realizó una curva de calibración mediante el estudio in vitro sobre 20 muestras de sangre de individuos con características específicas, irradiadas con diferentes dosis de radiación X y gamma, entre 50 y 500 cGy con intervalos de 50 cGy entre cada dosis. Se efectuaron cultivos de linfocitos con técnicas convencionales de citogenética humana. De las células obtenidas se cuantificaron las aberraciones cromosómicas en un total de 500 metafases por dosis de radiación, buscando garantizar una base sólida de diagnóstico en pacientes expuestos a la radiación. Con base en estas curvas de control se interpretaron los resultados de muestras de sangre de individuos laboralmente expuestos con el fin de determinar el daño biológico que habían sufrido y una aproximación a la dosis de exposición, dando inicio a un programa de investigación y prestación de servicios en el campo.

Anestesia en transplante renal / Anesthesia in renal transplant

En receptores de trasplante renal la anestesia entraña graves dificultades en lo que corresponde al metabolismo y la excreción de los fármacos que se utilizan en el procedimiento. Se requiere una técnica anestésica que brinde seguiridad transanestésica y posanestésica inmediata, tanto para el paciente como para el órgano sujeto a trasplante. Se efectuó un estudio prospectivo, longitudinal y comparativo de los 40 pacientes (sin distinción de sexo) sometidos a trasplante renal, 20 con anestesia general (AG) y 20 con bloqueo peridural (BP). La edad promedio fue de 24.10 (AG) y 28.7 años (BP). Los parámetros evaluados fueron presión venosa central, tensión arterial y frecuencias cardiaca y repiratoria en los diferentes periodos anestésicos (basal de inducción, transanestésico y posanestésico y posanestésico). Se identificaron cambios estadísticamente significativos (p<0.05) en la TA diastólica de los periodos de inducción y posanestésico. A causa de los efectos residuales de los anestésicos administrados. ocurrió una variación (30 por ciento) en la frecuencia respiratoria posoperatoria de los pacientes sometidos a anestesia general. Cabría concluir que son dignos de confianza ambos procedimientos anestésicos; desde luego, el comité de trasplantes de esta institución considera que la mejor técnica anestésica es el bloqueo peridural. PALABRAS CLAVES: Anestesia general, bloqueo peridural, estabilidad hemodinámica receptor de transplante renal, transplante renal.

Radioprotección en radiología

Desde el descubrimiento de los Rayos X, el uso de radiaciones ionizantes en medicina ha presentado un inmenso crecimiento. Al existir una serie de riesgos biológicos asociados a niveles elevados de exposición, es importante un adecuado conocimiento por parte de las persona involucradas en su manejo, sobre los conceptos básicos de radiobiología y protección. Se revisan los conceptos básicos de exposición, dosis equivalente, riesgo, radiosensibilidad, así como los efectos biológicos y genéticos. Brevemente se exponen los tipos de dosimetría disponibles, y se exponen algunos principios básicos para la protección de pacientes, del público y de las personas expuestas ocupacionalmente a las radiaciones

Valor del medulograma y la biopsia de médula ósea en el diagnóstico de las metástasis medulares / Value of medullogram and bone marrow biopsy in the diagnosis of medullary metastases

Se les realizaron bio de mo (biopsia de médula ósea) y medulograma simultaneamente a 14 pacientes sospechosos de presentar metastasis médular por carcinoma tanto clínica como radiológicamente. La bio de mo estableció este diagnóstico en 9. De osteitis quística en 1 y de enfermedad de gaucher en otro. El medulograma fue de poco valor en estos pacientes. Ya que en algunos no se obtuvo material y en otros en que se obtuvo no mostró infiltración. Se pone de manifiesto la superioridad de la bio de mo sobre el medulograma en el estudio de estos pacientes

Valor diagnóstico del medulograma y de la biopsia de médula ósea en los síndromes linfoproliferativos y en el mieloma múltiple / Diagnostic value of myelogram and bone marrow biopsy in lymphoproliferative syndromes and multiple myeloma

Se les realizaron medulograma y biposia de médula ósea a 66 pacientes con distintas afecciones distribuidos de la siguiente forma: 15 con leucemias linfoides crónicas (LLC), 20 con linfomas no hodgkinianos, 14 con linfomas de Hodgkin, 12 con mielomas múltiples, 3 con macroglobulinemias de Waldenström, 1 con linfoadenopatía angioinmunoblástica y 1 que presentaba micosis fungoide. La biposia de médula ósea permitió establecer el diagnóstico en algunos casos de LLC, mieloma múltiple y enfermedad de Waldenström en los que el medulograma no fue concluyente y mostró diferentes tipos de infiltración en estas enfermedades. Su valor diagnóstico fue superior que el del medulograma en la estadificación de los linfomas en general