Angiotensinergic effect of ß-Caryophyllene on Lipopolysaccharide- induced systemic inflammation.

Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) is a peptidergic system, canonically known for its role in blood pressure regulation. Furthermore, a non-canonical RAS regulates pathophysiological phenomena, such as inflammation since it consists of two main axes: the pro-inflammatory renin/(pro)renin receptor ((P)RR) axis, and the anti-inflammatory angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)/Angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7))/Mas Receptor (MasR) axis. Few phytochemicals have shown to exert angiotensinergic and anti-inflammatory effects through some of these axes; nevertheless, anti-inflammatory drugs, such as phytocannabinoids have not been studied regarding this subject. Among phytocannabinoids, ß-Caryophyllene stands out as a dietary phytocannabinoid with antiphlogistic activity that possess a unique sesquiterpenoid structure. Although its cannabinergic effect has been studied, its angiotensinergic effect reminds underexplored. This study aims to explore the angiotensinergic effect of ß-Caryophyllene on inflammation and stress at a systemic level. After intranasal Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) installation and oral treatment with ß-Caryophyllene, the concentration and activity of key RAS elements in the serum, such as Renin, ACE2 and Ang-(1-7), along with the stress hormone corticosterone and pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines, were measured in mice serum. The results show that ß-Caryophyllene treatment modified RAS levels by increasing Renin and Ang-(1-7), alongside the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and corticosterone levels. These results indicate that ß-Caryophyllene exhibits angiotensinergic activity in favor of anti-inflammation.

Efficient catalytic activity of NiO and CeO2 films in benzoic acid removal using ozone.

This research focuses on the synthesis of NiO and CeO2 thin films using spray pyrolysis for the removal of benzoic acid using ozone as an oxidant. The results indicate that the addition of CeO2 films significantly enhances the mineralization of benzoic acid, achieving a rate of over 80% as the CeO2 films react with ozone to produce strong oxidant species, such as hydroxyl radicals, superoxide radicals, and singlet oxygen as demonstrated by the presence of quenchers in the reaction system. The difference in catalytic activity between NiO and CeO2 films was analyzed via XPS technique; specifically, hydroxyl oxygen groups in the CeO2 film were greater in number than those in the NiO film, thus benefitting catalytic oxidation as these species are considered active oxidation sites. The effects of nozzle-substrate distances and deposition time during the synthesis of the films on benzoic acid removal efficiency were also explored. Based on XRD characterization, it was established that the NiO and CeO2 films were polycrystalline with a cubic structure. NiO spherical nanoparticles were well-distributed on the substrate surface, while some pin holes and overgrown clusters were observed in the CeO2 films according to the SEM results. The stability of the CeO2 films after five consecutive cycles confirms their reusability. The retrieval of films is easy because it does not require additional separation methods, unlike the catalyst in powder form. The obtained results indicate that the CeO2 films have potential application in pollutant removal from water through catalytic ozonation.

Rhodotorula mucilaginosa YR29 is able to accumulate Pb2+ in vacuoles: a yeast with bioremediation potential.

Microorganisms showed unique mechanisms to resist and detoxify harmful metals in response to pollution. This study shows the relationship between presence of heavy metals and plant growth regulator compounds. Additionally, the responses of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa YR29 isolated from the rhizosphere of Prosopis sp. growing in a polluted mine jal in Mexico are presented. This research carries out a phenotypic characterization of R. mucilaginosa to identify response mechanisms to metals and confirm its potential as a bioremediation agent. Firstly, Plant Growth-Promoting (PGP) compounds were assayed using the Chrome Azurol S (CAS) medium and the Salkowski method. In addition, to clarify its heavy metal tolerance mechanisms, several techniques were performed, such as optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) supplemented with assorted detectors. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) was used for elementary mapping of the cell. Finally, yeast viability after all treatments was confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The results have suggested that R. mucilaginosa could be a PGP yeast capable of triggering Pb2+ biosorption (representing 22.93% of the total cell surface area, the heavy metal is encapsulated between the cell wall and the microcapsule), and Pb2+ bioaccumulation (representing 11% of the total weight located in the vacuole). Based on these results, R. mucilaginosa as a bioremediation agent and its wide range of useful mechanisms for ecological purposes are highlighted.

Reversible Thermo-Optical Response Nanocomposites Based on RAFT Symmetric Triblock Copolymers (ABA) of Acrylamide and N-Isopropylacrylamide and Gold Nanoparticles.

The development of composite materials with thermo-optical properties based on smart polymeric systems and nanostructures have been extensively studied. Due to the fact of its ability to self-assemble into a structure that generates a significant change in the refractive index, one of most attractive thermo-responsive polymers is poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), as well as its derivatives such as multiblock copolymers. In this work, symmetric triblock copolymers of polyacrylamide (PAM) and PNIPAM (PAMx-b-PNIPAMy-b-PAMx) with different block lengths were prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization (RAFT). The ABA sequence of these triblock copolymers was obtained in only two steps using a symmetrical trithiocarbonate as a transfer agent. The copolymers were combined with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to prepare nanocomposite materials with tunable optical properties. The results show that copolymers behave differently in solution due to the fact of variations in their composition. Therefore, they have a different impact on the nanoparticle formation process. Likewise, as expected, an increase in the length of the PNIPAM block promotes a better thermo-optical response.

Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide as an In Situ Assistant in the Nucleation and Growth of Gold Nanoparticles.

The modulation of nanoparticles' size, shape, and dispersion by polymers has attracted particular attention in different fields. Nevertheless, there is a lack of information regarding the use of charged macromolecules as assistants in the nanostructures' nucleation and growth processes. Prompted by this, the in situ synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) aided by hydrolyzed polyacrylamides (HPAM), with different chemical structures, was developed. In contrast to the conventional synthesis of nanostructures assisted by polyacrylamide, here, the polymerization, hydrolysis, and nanostructure formation processes were carried out simultaneously in the same milieu. Likewise, the growing chains acted as a template for the nanoparticles' growth, so their conformations and chemical structure, especially the amount of charges along the chain, played an important role in the AuNPs' morphology, size, and some of the final composite features. The nanocomposite was thoroughly characterized with appropriate techniques, including ATR-FTIR, GPC, UV-Vis, and SEM.

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(2-vinylpyridine) and Poly(4-vinylpyridine) with Metal Oxide (TiO2, ZnO) Films for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Methyl Orange and Benzoic Acid.

In this study, composite material films of pyridine-based polymer and metal oxides (ZnO and TiO2) were successfully deposited by spin coating method for environmental remediation. Firstly, the polymers poly(2-vinylpyridine) P(2-VP), and poly(4-vinylpyridine) P(4-VP) were synthesized via solution polymerization. The analysis by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) reveals semicrystalline nature and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicates that the poly(vinylpyridines) clusters of particles were observed on the surface of the films. It was also shown that the morphology of composite materials is completely dependent on the chemical nature of the oxide. In the case of P(2-VP)-TiO2 and P(4-VP)-TiO2, some channels or pathways of TiO2 on the surface of films were observed. However, the surface morphology of the polymer composites formulated with ZnO shows a homogeneous distribution in P(2-VP) and P(4-VP) matrix. The effectiveness of the composite materials in the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) was evaluated by photocatalysis. According to the results, the P(4-VP)-ZnO composite exhibited the highest photodegradation of MO, allowing the separation of photogenerated species required for the photocatalytic reaction. The P(4-VP)-ZnO composite was also tested in benzoic acid (BA) photodegradation in water. The presence of some scavengers in the reaction system reveals that hydroxyl radicals (OH•), superoxide radicals (O2-•) and holes (h+) are responsible for the BA reduction by photocatalysis.

Biological Activities of Organic Extracts of the Genus Aristolochia: A Review from 2005 to 2021.

Different ethnomedicinal studies have investigated the relationship between various phytochemicals as well as organic extracts and their bioactive aspects. Studies on biological effects are attributed to secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, phenolic compounds, and terpenes. Since there have been no reviews in the literature on the traditional, phytochemical, and ethnomedicinal uses of the genus Aristolochia so far, this article systematically reviews 141 published studies that analyze the associations between secondary metabolites present in organic extracts and their beneficial effects. Most studies found associations between individual secondary metabolites and beneficial effects such as anticancer activity, antibacterial, antioxidant activity, snake anti-venom and anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this review was to analyze studies carried out in the period 2005-2021 to update the existing knowledge on different species of the genus Aristolochia for ethnomedicinal uses, as well as pharmacological aspects and therapeutic uses.

A semi-targeted NMR-based chemical profiling of retail samples of Mexican gordolobo.

Mexican gordolobo (MG) is one of the most important medicinal plants in Mexico and an important source of specialized metabolites with biological activities. The species employed in Mexican traditional medicine identified with this name are very different and difficult to identify according to existent criteria. In order to contribute to the identification of these species, a semi-targeted 1H NMR-based chemometric method was developed to characterize the chemical profiling of retail samples of MG. Thus, 17 retail samples of MG flowers were successively extracted with a gradient of water:chloroform (1:4, 1:2 and 0:1) in an ultrasonic bath for 15 min each. The organic phase of the three extracts was pooled, evaporated and analyzed by 1H NMR. The NMR data were subjected to multivariate statistical analysis, revealing that flavones gnaphaliin A (1), gnaphaliin B (2), araneol (3), 3,5,7-Tri-O-methylgalangin (4) and diterpenes sclareol (5) and kaur-16-en-18-oic acid (6) can be effectively used as chemotaxonomical markers for the correct identification of the Gnaphalium spp that compose MG. The aforementioned chemotaxonomic markers may be useful in establishing therapeutic criteria.

In vitro cytotoxic potential of extracts from Aristolochia foetida Kunth against MCF-7 and bMECs cell lines.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of Aristolochia foetida Kunth. Stems and leaves of A. foetida Kunth (Aristolochiaceae) have never been investigated pharmacologically. Recent studies of species of the Aristolochiaceae family found significant cytotoxic activities. Hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were analyzed by 1H NMR and GC-MS to know the metabolites in each extract. In GC-MS analysis, the main compounds were methyl hexadecanoate (3); hexadecanoic acid (4); 2-butoxyethyl dodecanoate (9); ethyl hexadecanoate (20); methyl octadeca-9,12,15-trienoate (28) and (9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadeca-9,12,15-trienoic acid (40). The results showed a significant reduction in cell viability of the MCF-7 (breast cancer) cell line caused by organic extracts in a dose-dependent manner. The cytotoxicity activity of the dichloromethane extract from the stems (DSE) showed IC50 values of 45.9 µg/mL and the dichloromethane extract of the leaves (DLE) showed IC50 values of 47.3 µg/mL. DSE and DLE had the highest cytotoxic potential in an in vitro study against the MCF-7 cell line and non-tumor cells obtained from the bovine mammary epithelial (bMECs). DSE and DLE induced a loss in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and can cause cell death by apoptosis through the intrinsic pathway in the MCF-7 cell line. DSE and DLE are cytotoxic in cancer cells and cause late apoptosis. Higher concentrations of DSE and DLE are required to induce a cytotoxic effect in healthy mammary epithelial cells. This is the first report of the dichloromethane extract of A. foetida Kunth that induces late apoptosis in MCF-7 cancer cells and may be a candidate for pharmacological study against breast cancer.

Investigación acción participativa en el grupo denominado colectribu de jóvenes artistas en situación de riesgo social / Participatory action research in the group colectribu of young artists in social risk / Pesquisa-ação participativa no grupo: colectribu de jovens artistas em situação de risco social

La presente investigación intenta describir la dinámica grupal desenvuelta entre miembros del grupo artístico de hip hop Colectribu, conformado por jóvenes en situación de riesgo social, expuestos a fenómenos como violencia, pandillas, y consumo de substancias que asisten al programa Resistencia Juvenil dependiente de la Fundación La Paz. Se describe un espacio de desenvolvimiento artístico permitiendo el crecimiento de habilidades artísticas mediante talleres de lírica, producción musical y otros. Se plantea a través de esto la reformulación de la pandilla dejando atrás la intención violenta y de transgresión a las normas para conducir el trabajo de Colectribu hacia la creación, contribución a la sociedad y fortalecimiento personal. Colectribu es la unión de jóvenes provenientes de distintas partes de La Paz que se reúnen en base a los que es el hip hop, es una forma de expresar a las personas un mensaje nuevo, consciente y reflexivo". Se realiza un estudio de acción-participativa que además de ser plasmado en dicha investigación, se realiza un documental catalogando la realidad de los miembros del grupo que puede ser encontrado en https://youtu.be/fiX6eR1FV4A.(AU)

This research tries to describe the group dynamic that unravels between members of the hip hop artistic collective Colectribu, consisting of young people in social risk, exposed to phenomena such as violence, gangs and substance abuse, they attend the Resistencia Juvenil program dependent from the La Paz Foundation. It describes a space of artistic development allowing growth of artistic abilities by means of lyricism workshops, musical production and others types of workshops. At the same time the concept of gang reformulates, leaving behind the violent intent to redirect the work from Colectribu to creation, social contribution and personal growth. Colectribu is a union of youth who come from different places of La Paz who get together joined by hip hop, it's a way of expressing to people a new message, that is conscious and reflexive. An action-participative study was made, as well as a documentary who logs the reality of the members of the group that can be found at https://youtu.be/fiX6eR1FV4A.(AU)

Esta pesquisa procura descrever a dinâmica de grupo desenvolvida entre os membros do grupo de arte hip hop Colectribu, formado por jovens em situação de risco social, expostos a fenômenos como violência, gangues e uso de substâncias que participam do programa "Resistência Jovem" dependente da Fundação La Paz. É descrito um espaço de desenvolvimento artístico que permite o crescimento de habilidades artísticas por meio de oficinas de letras, produção musical e outras. Com isso, propõe-se a reformulação da quadrilha, deixando para trás a violenta intenção e violação das normas de conduzir o trabalho de "Colectribu" à criação, contribuição à sociedade e fortalecimento pessoal. "[Colectribu] é a união de jovens de diferentes partes de La Paz que se reúnem com base no que é o hip hop, é uma maneira de expressar uma mensagem nova, consciente e atenciosa para as pessoas. É realizado um estudo de ação participativa que, além de refletido na referida pesquisa, é realizado um documentário catalogando a realidade dos membros do grupo que pode ser encontrada em https://youtu.be/fiX6eR1FV4A.(AU)

Influence of Carbon Nanotubes Concentration on Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) Composite Yarns Electrospun.

In this work, the influence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) content on the mechanical and electrical properties of four series of polymeric matrix were made and their cytotoxicity on cells was evaluated to consider their use as a possible artificial muscle. For that, polymer composite yarns were electrospun using polymeric solutions at 10 wt.%. of poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) P(S:AN) and P(S:AN-acrylic acid) P(S:AN-AA) at several monomeric concentrations, namely 0:100, 20:80, 40:60, 50:50 (wt.%:wt.%), and 1 wt.% of AA. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were added to the polymeric solutions at two concentrations, 0.5 and 1.0 wt.%. PMCs yarns were collected using a blade collector. Mechanical and electrical properties of polymeric yarns indicated a dependence of CNTs content into yarns. Three areas could be found in fibers: CNTs bundles zones, distributed and aligned CNTs zones, and polymer-only zones. PMCs yarns with 0.5 wt.% CNTs concentration were found with a homogenous nanotube dispersion and axial alignment in polymeric yarn, ensuring load transfer on the polymeric matrix to CNTs, increasing the elastic modulus up to 27 MPa, and a maximum electrical current of 1.8 mA due to a good polymer-nanotube interaction.

Curcumin Decreases Hippocampal Neurodegeneration and Nitro-Oxidative Damage to Plasma Proteins and Lipids Caused by Short-Term Exposure to Ozone.

Neurodegeneration is the consequence of harmful events affecting the nervous system that lead to neuronal death. Toxic substances, including air pollutants, are capable of inducing neurodegeneration. Ozone (O3) is the most oxidative toxic pollutant. O3 reacts with cellular components and forms reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, triggering nitro-oxidative damage during short-term exposure. Curcumin (CUR) is a natural phenolic molecule bearing well-documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory biological activities in diverse experimental models. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of preventive dietary administration of CUR against hippocampal neurodegeneration and nitro-oxidative damage caused by short-term exposure to O3. Eighty Wistar male rats were distributed into four experimental groups, twenty rats each: intact control; CUR dietary supplementation without O3 exposure; exposure to 0.7 ppm of O3; and exposed to O3 with CUR dietary supplementation. Five rats from each group were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4, and 8 h of exposure. The CUR dose was 5.6 mg/kg and adjusted according to food consumption. CUR significantly decreased oxidative damage to plasma lipids and proteins, as well as neurodegeneration in CA1 and CA3 hippocampal regions. Concluding, CUR proved effective protection in decreasing neurodegeneration in the hippocampus and prevented systemic oxidative damage.

Effects of TiO2 Nanoparticles Incorporation into Cells of Tomato Roots.

In this study, tomato plants were grown in vitro with and without incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticles in Murashige and Skoog (MS) growth medium. The aim of this study was to describe the morphological (area and roundness cell) and mechanical (Young's Modulus) change in the different tissue of tomato root, epidermis (Ep), parenchyma (Pa), and vascular bundles (Vb), when the whole plant was exposed to TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs). light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) techniques were used to identify changes into the root cells when TiO2 NPs were incorporated. TiO2 NPs incorporation produces changes in the area, roundness, and Young's Modulus of the tomato root. When tomato root is exposed to TiO2 NPs, the Ep and Vb area size decreases from 260.92 µm2 to 160.71 µm2 and, 103.08 µm2 to 52.13 µm2, respectively, compared with the control area, while in Pa tissue the area size was increased considerably from 337.72 mm2 to 892.96 mm2. Cellular roundness was evident in tomato root that was exposed to TiO2 NPs in the Ep (0.49 to 0.67), Pa (0.63 to 0.79), and Vb (0.76 to 0.71) area zones. Young's Modulus in Pa zone showed a rigid mechanical behavior when tomato root is exposed to TiO2 NPs (0.48 to 4.98 MPa control and TiO2 NPs, respectively). Meanwhile, Ep and Vb were softer than the control sample (13.9 to 1.06 MPa and 6.37 to 4.41 MPa respectively). This means that the Pa zone was stiffer than Ep and Vb when the root is exposed to TiO2 NPs. Furthermore, TiO2 NPs were internalized in the root tissue of tomato, accumulating mainly in the cell wall and intercellular spaces, with a wide distribution throughout the tissue, as seen in TEM.

Efecto de un protocolo de rehabilitación sobre la funcionalidad y calidad de vida en pacientes con reemplazo total de rodilla. estudio de cohorte transversal / Effect of a rehabilitation protocol on the functionality and quality of life in patients with total knee replacement. a cross sectional study

Introducción El reemplazo total de rodilla (RTR) es una de las cirugías con mayor tasa de éxito, y la funcionalidad y calidad de vida dependen en gran medida de la rehabilitación física adecuada. En Colombia no existe una Guía de rehabilitación física registrada ante el Ministerio de Salud. Por lo anterior el presente estudio tuvo como objetivo general determinar el efecto de la intervención fisioterapéutica en la funcionalidad y calidad de vida en pacientes sometidos a RTR. Materiales & métodos Estudio de cohorte transversal, que consto de tres evaluaciones (prequirúrgica, a los 3 y 6 meses) aplicando WOMAC, SF12, evaluación fisioterapéutica; y 36 sesiones de fisioterapia domiciliaria a 10 adultos mayores de 65 años. La muestra fue tomada de la lista de espera del cirujano participante entre noviembre de 2017 y junio de 2018. Resultados Al aplicar el cuestionario WOMAC la rigidez y el dolor obtuvieron un valor p=0.00 y 0,01 respectivamente. En la capacidad funcional se encontró una significancia de 0,009 entre el 1 y el 3 momento de la evaluación. Los resultados obtenidos al aplicar el cuestionario SF12 refirieron un mejor estado de salud, con poca limitación al realizar esfuerzos moderados o subir escaleras. En el 80% de la población la fuerza paso de 3- a 4+. En amplitud de movimiento articular se alcanzaron rangos funcionales que superan los 90° de flexión. Discusión Los resultados en la funcionalidad y calidad de vida están en consonancia con lo reportado en la literatura internacional.

Introduction Total knee replacement (TKR) has one of the highest success rates, and functionality and quality of life depend largely on appropriate physical rehabilitation. There is no physical rehabilitation guideline registered with the Ministry of Health in Colombia. Therefore, the general objective of this study was to determine the effect of physiotherapy intervention on functionality and quality of life in patients undergoing TKR. Materials & methods A cross-sectional cohort study, comprising three assessments (preoperative, at 3 and at 6 months) using the WOMAC and SF12 questionnaires, physiotherapy assessment, and 36 sessions of home physiotherapy in 10 adults over 65 years of age. The sample was taken from the participating surgeon's waiting list between November 2017 and June 2018. Results. Stiffness and pain obtained p-values of .00 and .01 respectively from the WOMAC questionnaire. A significance level of .009 was found in functional ability between the 1st and 3rd assessments. The SF12 questionnaire results reflected a better state of health, with little limitation on moderate effort or climbing stairs. Strength went from 3- to 4+ in 80% of the population. Functional ranges exceeding 90̊ of flexion were achieved in joint range of motion. Discussion Outcomes in terms of functionality and quality of life are in line with those reported in the international literature.

Efectos de la rehabilitación pulmonar sobre calidad de vida y tolerancia al esfuerzo / Effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on quality of life and exercise tolerance

Introducción: La rehabilitación pulmonar es una intervención que disminuye los síntomas de la Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica (EPOC), incrementa la tolerancia al ejercicio, el estado emocional, la funcionalidad, la participación y la percepción de control de la enfermedad, mejorando la calidad de vida. Objetivo: Describir los efectos de la RP sobre dos escalas de calidad de vida y su influencia en la capacidad aeróbica funcional en pacientes con EPOC. Materiales y métodos: Estudio cuasiexperimental en pacientes que asistieron a rehabilitación pulmonar. La capacidad aeróbica funcional se evaluó con el test de caminata de 6 minutos y la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud con los cuestionarios St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) y Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRQ-SAS). Resultados: Se encontró un aumento significativo en el test de caminata de 6 minutos (p<0.001). En el SGRQ se registraron mejorías en categorías de actividad, síntomas, impacto y puntuación total (p≤ 0,005). En el CRQ-SAS se registró mejoría en los dominios disnea, emocional y puntuación total (p<0,001). Conclusiones: La rehabilitación pulmonar favorece la calidad de vida evaluada con el SGRQ y el CRQ-SAS y la capacidad aeróbica funcional de los pacientes con EPOC.

Introduction: Pulmonary rehabilitation is an intervention that decreases the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). PR also improves exercise tolerance, emotional state, and functionality. Pulmonary rehabilitation leads to participation and perception of control of the disease, which ultimately enhances the quality of life. Objective: To describe the effects of PR on quality of life and its influence on the functional aerobic capacity in patients with COPD. Materials and methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with patients who attended PR. Functional aerobic capacity was assessed by a 6-minute walking test. The St. George Respiratory (SGRQ) and the Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRQ-SAS) Questionnaires were used to assess health-related quality of life. Results: There was a significant improvement in the 6-minute walking test. Based on the SGRQ, the categories of activity, symptoms, impact, and the total score revealed significant improvements (p≤ 0,005). Finally, the CRQ-SAS registered a positive effect of PR on the domains dyspnea, emotional and total score (p<0,001). Conclusions: PR improves quality of life and functional aerobic capacity of COPD patients.

Configurational Variation of a Natural Compound within Its Source Species. The Unprecedented Case of Areolal in Piptothrix areolare.

The exceptional case of a natural compound that shows drastic absolute configuration variations within the same species was examined. Sequential samples of areolal (1) isolated from Piptothrix areolare showed dextrorotatory (ee 32%), almost racemic (ee 4%), levorotatory (ee 82%), and again dextrorotatory (ee 10%) values. Enantiomeric compositions of this epoxythymol derivative were determined from individual plant specimens collected from the same geographical location over a 46-day period, which were processed using the same extraction and isolation methods. Detection of this unusual phenomenon was possible by analysis of NMR data recorded in the presence of BINOL as a chiral solvating agent. The absolute configuration of (-)-(8S)-areolal followed from vibrational circular dichroism data of an enantiomerically enriched sample, while single-crystal X-ray diffraction and supramolecular analyses revealed interactions that diminish the crystal entropy in rac-1. These results might be related with environmental factors and biochemical processes, suggesting the need of strict evaluations of enantiomeric composition of natural products that could be considered for human applications.

Novel Sesquiterpene Skeletons by Multiple Wagner-Meerwein Rearrangements of a Longipinane-1,9-diol Derivative.

The tricyclic sesquiterpene (1R,3R,4S,5S,7S,8S,9S,10R,11R)-7,8-diangeloyloxylongipinan-1,9-diol, or rasteviol (7), underwent multiple Wagner-Meerwein molecular rearrangements and several hydride shifts when treated with Et2O-BF3 to generate the six new compounds (1R,3R,4S,5R,7S,8S,9S,10R,11S)-7,8-diangeloyloxy-1,9-epoxyjiquilpane (8), (1R,3R,4S,5R,7R,8S,9S,11S)-8-angeloyloxy-1,7-epoxyzamor-10(14)-ene (11), (2S,3R,4R,5R,6R,7R,8S,9S,10S)-7,8-diangeloyloxy-6,9-epoxyjanitziane (14), (4R,5R,7S,8S,9S,10S,11S)-7,8-diangeloyloxy-9-hydroxyjiquilp-3(15)-ene (16), (2S,3S,5R,7S,8R,10S,11R)-7,8-diangeloyloxyiratzian-9-one (18), and (2S,3S,5R,10S,11R)-8-angeloyloxyiratzi-7-en-9-one (22), of which 8, 11, 14, and 18 possess new hydrocarbon skeletons. Their structures were determined by 1D and 2D NMR in combination with single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of derivatives 10, 15, 20, and 21, which allowed confirmation of their absolute configurations by means of the Flack and Hooft parameters. In addition, some reaction mechanism information was gained from deuterium labeling experiments.

Absolute configuration of phomactatriene diterpenoids obtained by Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement of epimeric verticillols.

The epimeric diterpenes (+)-(1S,3E,7E,11S,12S)-verticilla-3,7-dien-12-ol (1), isolated from Bursera suntui, and (+)-(1S,3E,7E,11S,12R)-verticilla-3,7-dien-12-ol (2), isolated from Bursera kerberi, gave the same Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement product (-)-(1E,4Z,8Z,11S,12R)-phomacta-1,(15)4,8-triene (3). The Et2 O:BF3 -induced transformations evidence that verticillenes and phomactanes, both containing the bicyclo[9.3.1]pentadecane skeleton, are biogenetically related through the verticillen-12-yl cation (A+ ), which also is a key intermediate in the biosynthetic pathways to generate antitumor taxanes. Molecular modeling using the Monte Carlo protocol, followed by density functional theory (DFT) geometry optimization employing the hybrid functionals B3LYP and B3PW91, both with the DGDZVP basis set, secured the configuration of 3 as followed from the good agreement between the calculated and experimental vibrational circular dichroism spectra. Similar DFT calculations allowed determining the absolute configuration of (+)-(1R,4R,5R,8S,9S,11S,12R,15R)-1,15:4,5:8,9-triepoxyphomactane (9), which surprisingly derives from epoxidation of the second minimum energy conformer of 3.

Dietary Curcumin Prevented Astrocytosis, Microgliosis, and Apoptosis Caused by Acute and Chronic Exposure to Ozone.

Ozone is the most oxidant tropospheric pollutant gas, causing damage through the formation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Reactive species induce the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation leading to neuroinflammation characterized by astrocytosis, microgliosis, and apoptotic cell death. There is interest in evaluating the pharmacological activity of natural antioxidants to confer neuroprotection against the damage caused by ozone in highly polluted cities. Curcumin has been proven to exert a protective action in the central nervous system (CNS) of diverse experimental models, with no side effects. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of curcumin in a preventive and therapeutic manner against the astrocytosis, microgliosis, and apoptosis induced by ozone in rat hippocampus. Fifty Wistar rats were distributed into five experimental groups: The intact control, curcumin fed control, ozone-exposed group, and the preventive and therapeutic groups receiving the curcumin supplementation while exposed to ozone. Ozone caused astrocytosis and microgliosis, as well as apoptosis in the hippocampus. Meanwhile, curcumin was able to decrease the activation of microglia and astrocytes, and apoptotic cell death in both periods of exposure. Therefore, we propose that curcumin could be used as a molecule capable of counteracting the damage caused by ozone in the CNS.

CdS/CdTe Heterostructures for Applications in Ultra-Thin Solar Cells.

The preparation of ultra-thin semi-transparent solar cells with potential applications in windows or transparent roofs entails several challenges due to the very small thickness of the layers involved. In particular, problems related to undesired inter-diffusion or inhomogeneities originated by incomplete coverage of the growing surfaces must be prevented. In this paper, undoped SnO2, CdS, and CdTe thin films with thickness suitable for use in ultra-thin solar cells were deposited with a radiofrequency (RF) magnetron sputtering technique onto conductive glass. Preparation conditions were found for depositing the individual layers with good surface coverage, absence of pin holes and with a relatively small growth rate adapted for the control of very small thickness. After a careful growth calibration procedure, heterostructured solar cells devices were fabricated. The influence of an additional undoped SnO2 buffer layer deposited between the conductive glass and the CdS window was studied. The incorporation of this layer led to an enhancement of both short circuit current and open circuit voltage (by 19 and 32%, respectively) without appreciable changes of other parameters. After the analysis of the cell parameters extracted from the current-voltage (I-V) curves, possible origins of these effects were found to be: Passivation effects of the SnO2/CdS interface, blocking of impurities diffusion or improvement of the band alignment.