Evaluación preliminar de la actividad de Ageratina havanensis contra virus dengue 2 / Preliminary evaluation of the activity of Ageratina havanensis against the dengue 2 virus

. Introducción: El dengue es la enfermedad viral transmitida por mosquitos de más rápida propagación en el mundo. A pesar de la alta incidencia de la enfermedad no existe tratamiento antiviral efectivo ni vacuna aprobada para su uso contra esta infección. La planta Ageratina havanensis ha sido ampliamente utilizada por nuestra cultura popular y en otros países debido a sus diversas propiedades biológicas. Objetivo: Evaluar la actividad antiviral de cuatro extractos provenientes de Ageratina havanensis y dos flavonoides aislados de dicha planta frente al virus dengue 2. Métodos: La pesquisa primaria de actividad antiviral de cada extracto y flavonoide se realizó mediante el ensayo de detección de la productividad vírica, y se evaluó la acción virucida de los extractos etanólico de tallo y butanólico de hoja. Resultados: Todos los extractos inhibieron la replicación viral al evidenciarse disminución del número de placas de lisis, sin embargo, no se evidenció disminución del título infectivo viral en el ensayo virucida. El tratamiento con la sakuranetina mostró valores de inhibición de la productividad viral entre 61-91 por ciento, y para la 7-metoxiaromadendrina se registraron valores de reducción viral entre 64-86 por ciento. Conclusiones: Los extractos y flavonoides aislados de Ageratina havanensis mostraron acción antiviral. Los extractos etanólico de tallo y butanólico de hojas no poseen acción virucida sobre la cepa viral empleada. El presente trabajo constituye el primer informe respecto a la evaluación de extractos y compuestos aislados de A. havanensis frente al virus dengue(AU)

Introduction: Dengue is the fastest spreading mosquito-borne viral disease worldwide. Despite its high incidence, no effective antiviral treatment or vaccine has been approved for use against this infection. The plant Ageratina havanensis has been widely used in our folk culture and in other countries due to its various biological properties. Objective: Evaluate the antiviral activity of four extracts from Ageratina havanensis and two flavonoids isolated from that plant against the dengue 2 virus. Methods: Primary screening of the antiviral activity of each extract and flavonoid was conducted by viral productivity detection assay, and an evaluation was carried out of the virucidal action of the stem ethanolic extract and the leaf butanolic extract. Results: All the extracts inhibited viral replication by a reduction in the number of lysis plates. However, no evidence was found of a reduced viral infective titer in the virucidal assay. Treatment with sakuranetin achieved viral productivity inhibition values of 61 percent-91 percent, whereas 7-methoxyaromadendrin obtained viral reduction values of 64 percent-86 percent Conclusions: The extracts and flavonoids isolated from Ageratina havanensis displayed antiviral activity. The stem ethanolic extract and the leaf butanolic extract do not have a virucidal action against the viral strain used. The paper is the first report about the effect of extracts and compounds isolated from A. havanensis against the dengue virus(AU)

Ausencia de actividad antimicrobiana de un extracto acuoso liofilizado de Capraria biflora L. (esclaviosa) / Absence of antimicrobial activity in a lyophilized aqueous extract from Capraria biflora L. (goatweed)

Introducción: la especie Capraria biflora L. perteneciente a la familia Scrophulariaceae, presenta una larga historia en la medicina tradicional por tener gran aplicación en varios tratamientos: cuyas causas podrían estar relacionados con infecciones antimicrobianas. Objetivo: Determinar la actividad antimicrobiana del extracto acuoso liofilizado de la especie Capraria biflora L. frente a una batería mínima de microorganismos de interés clínico. Métodos: la obtención del extracto se realizó por secado en horno, pulverización en un mortero, extracción por decocción y posterior liofilización. La actividad antibacteriana del extracto acuoso se evaluó in vitro, en dos concentraciones (10 y 50 mg/mL), mediante el sistema de ensayo de difusión en agar, con una batería mínima de cepas de microorganismos compuesta por cuatro bacterias Gram negativas: Klebsiella neumoneae (ATCC 10031), Salmonella tiphymurium (ATCC 14028), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), una bacteria Gram positiva: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), y dos levaduras Cándida albicans (ATCC 10231) y Saccharomyces cerevisiae (BCTP 20/agosto/2008). Resultados: el extracto acuoso de las hojas de Capraria biflora L no presenta actividad antimicrobiana, a las concentraciones estudiadas, frente a las cepas de microorganismos de interés clínico utilizadas en el ensayo. Conclusiones: se reporta por primera vez la evaluación de la actividad antimicrobiana del extracto acuoso liofilizado de las hojas de Capraria biflora L. frente a cepas de bacterias y hongos de interés clínico a las concentraciones de 10 y 50 mg/mL. No se encontró un efecto inhibitorio y se recomienda realizar otros estudios de actividad antimicrobiana que inserten la temática de la virulencia microbiana, encaminados a evaluar el posible efecto bacteriostático que pueda presentar este extracto.

Introduction: the species Capraria biflora L., from the Scrophulariaceae family, has a long history of use in traditional medicine for the treatment of various disorders whose causes could be related to microbial infections. Objective: determine the antimicrobial activity of lyophilized aqueous extract from the species Capraria biflora L. against a minimum set of microorganisms of clinical interest. Methods: the extract was obtained by oven drying, pulverization in a mortar, decoction and lyophilization. In vitro antibacterial activity of the aqueous extract was evaluated at two concentrations (10 and 50 mg/ml) by the agar diffusion test with a minimum set of microorganism strains composed of four gram-negative bacteria: Klebsiella neumoneae (ATCC 10031), Salmonella tiphymurium (ATCC 14028), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), one gram-positive bacterium: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), and two yeasts: Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (BCTP 20/08/2008). Results: at the study concentrations, the aqueous extract of Capraria biflora L. leaves does not display antimicrobial activity against the strains of microorganisms of clinical interest evaluated in the assay. Conclusions: this is the first evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of lyophilized aqueous extract from leaves of Capraria biflora L. against strains of bacteria and fungi of clinical interest at concentrations of 10 and 50 mg/ml. No inhibitory effect was found. It is recommended to conduct further antimicrobial activity studies incorporating the topic of microbial virulence, aimed at evaluating the potential bacteriostatic effect of the study extract.

Sesquiterpenes from the wood of Juniperus lucayana.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of ethanolic extract from the wood of Juniperus lucayana afforded three sesquiterpenes named 3-hydroxypseudowiddran-6(7)-en-4-ol (1), 15-hydroxyallo-cedrol (2) and 12-hydroxywiddrol (3) together with six known sesquiterpenes (4-9) and two known flavonoids (10 and 11). Their structures were established on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The structures of compounds were identified as 1alpha,4beta,11alpha,11beta-tetramethylbicyclo[5,4,0]undec-6(7)-en-3alpha, 4alpha-diol (1), 4beta-hydroxymethyl-5,5,9beta-trimethyltricyclo[4.3.0.2(1.4)]undecan-3alpha-ol (2) and 4beta-hydroxymethyl-7alpha,11alpha,11beta-trimethylbicyclo [5.4.0]undec-1-en-4alpha-ol (3). The major compounds isolated were evaluated for their antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea. Widdrol (7) was the most active, reaching the 71% inhibition level on mycelial growth after 6 days.

Reduction in the perinatal HIV transmission: the experience at the Maternal Infant Studies Center and Gamma Projects at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine.

The AIDS pandemic had a significant impact in Puerto Rico, especially among the heterosexual populations, in particular women. Women are one of the fastest growing risk groups with HIV/AIDS in the USA and constitute about half of the AIDS cases in the world. During the past 10 years Puerto Rico has ranked among the top 5 jurisdictions in the United States in AIDS cases rates, among men, women and children. In 1987 a universal prenatal HIV screening program was implemented in the University Hospital catchment area consisting of approximately 5,000 deliveries per year. Because of the early identification of pregnant women living with HIV, access to lifesaving clinical research and the implementation of multiple strategies and comprehensive care, the perinatal HIV transmission has been reduced to zero since 1997, with a blip of one case in 2002, and none since then. The availability and access to clinical and behavioral research has been one of the key elements for this success story. The programs involved and responsible for this spectacular outcome, namely the Maternal Infant Studies Center (CEMI-Spanish Acronym) and Gamma Projects at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine are described. The cost savings impact of stopping mother-infant perinatal HIV-1 transmission has been calculated to be approximately $34 to $58 million dollars in 10 years. The impact of the effectiveness of these programs in having healthy uninfected infants, prolonging and improving the quality of life of those living with HIV, and providing hope to families affected by this epidemic is incalculable.

The antifungal activity of widdrol and its biotransformation by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (penz.) Penz. & Sacc. and Botrytis cinerea Pers.: Fr.

Widdrol (1) was tested against the necrotrophic plant pathogens Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. While 1 was found to be inactive against C. gloeosporioides, it showed a selective and effective control of B. cinerea, significantly inhibiting the mycelial growth of the fungus at concentrations of 100 ppm and above. In addition, the biotransformation of 1 by both fungi was studied. Incubation with C. gloeosporioides and B. cinerea afforded four and one biotransformation products (2-6), respectively. Biotransformation with C. gloeosporioides was highly regioselective, yielding for the most part oxidation products at C-10: 10-oxowiddrol (2), 10beta-hydroxywiddrol (3), 10alpha-hydroxywiddrol (4), and 14alpha-hydroxywiddrol (5). The structures of all products were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic data, including coupling constants, two-dimensional NMR analysis (heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence, heteronuclear multiple bond correlation, and nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy), and nuclear Overhauser effect. The biotransformation products were then tested against B. cinerea and found to be inactive. These results shed further light on the structural modifications, which may be necessary to develop selective fungal control agents against B. cinerea.

Disclosure model for pediatric patients living with HIV in Puerto Rico: design, implementation, and evaluation.

The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly encourages the disclosure of HIV status to school-age children and further recommends that adolescents know their HIV status. Limited information exists on the impact of disclosure. We designed and implemented a disclosure model hypothesized to be associated with healthy psychological adjustment and improved medication adherence. We report the model's design and implementation and results of a quasi-experimental study of the disclosure's effects on health care professionals (n = 16), caregivers (n = 39), and HIV-infected youth (n = 40) in Puerto Rico. Information was collected from youth, caregivers, and professionals by semistructured interviews and questionnaires. Most youth (70%) had feelings of normalcy 6 months post-disclosure, and most also improved their adherence to therapy after disclosure as reported by both patients (58%) and caregivers (59%). Eighty-five percent of youth and 97% of caregivers considered disclosure a positive event for themselves and their families. Fewer health care professionals reported feelings of fear, discomfort, and insecurity after protocol participation.

Estudio de crinum zeylanicum L. parte I: alcaloides mayoritarios en bulbos / Study of crinu zeylanicum L: part I: mayor alkaloids in bulbs

Se determinan los alcaloides mayoritarios presentes en los bulbos de la planta Crinum zeylanicum L. que se identificaron como crinamidina, tazetina, haemantnamina, ambellina y galanthamina

Estudio de crinum zeylanicum L: parte I: alcaloides mayoritarios en bulbos / Study of crinum zeylanicum L: part I: mayor alkaloids in bulbs

Se determinan los alcaloides mayoritarios presentes en los bulbos de la planta Crinum zeylanicum L. que se identificaron como crinamidina, tazetina, haemantnamina, ambellina y galanthamina

Determinación de lactamas en Hippeastrum Equestre Herb / Deterination of Lactams in Hippeastrum Equestre Herb

Se determina la presencia del metabolito no básico tipo lactama narciclasina en bulbos de Hippeastrum equestre Herb. Se reporta por primera vez el espectro de 13C-RMN de dicho compuesto

Determinación de la presencia de Lactamas en la planta Zephyrantes Tubispatha Herb, Amaryllidaceae / Deterination of presence of lactams in the plant Zephyrantes Tubispatha Herb, Amaryllidaceae

Se realiza la determinación de lactamas en bulbos de la planta Zephyrantes tubispatha Herb, Amaryllidaceae. La extracción se desarrolla por el método de Ceriotti. Se aíslan 2 sustancias por cromatografía de columna sobre sílica gel G con acetato de etilo y acetato de etilo/metanol 95:5 como eluyente. La comparación de la información obtenida mediante estudios espectroscópicos con los datos de la literatura, permite identificar estas sustancias como narciclasina y narciprimina

Estudio preliminar de Zephyrantes Eggersiana Urban / Preliinary study of Zephyrantes Eggersiana Urban

Se determina la presencia de los alcaloides licorina, haemanthamina y haemanthidina en los bulbos de la planta Zephyrantes eggersiana

Estudio preliminar de Zephyrantes Eggersiana Urban / Preliminary study of Zephyrantes Eggersiana Urban

Se determina la presencia de los alcaloides licorina, haemanthamina y haemanthidina en los bulbos de la planta Zephyrantes eggersiana

Determinación de la presencia de Lactamas en la planta Zephyrantes Tubispatha Herb, Amaryllidaceae / Determination of presence of lactams in the plant Zephyrantes Tubispatha Herb, Amaryllidaceae

Se realiza la determinación de lactamas en bulbos de la planta Zephyrantes tubispatha Herb, Amaryllidaceae. La extracción se desarrolla por el método de Ceriotti. Se aíslan 2 sustancias por cromatografía de columna sobre sílica gel G con acetato de etilo y acetato de etilo/metanol 95:5 como eluyente. La comparación de la información obtenida mediante estudios espectroscópicos con los datos de la literatura, permite identificar estas sustancias como narciclasina y narciprimina

Determinación de lactamas en Hippeastrum Equestre Herb / Determination of Lactams in Hippeastrum Equestre Herb

Se determina la presencia del metabolito no básico tipo lactama narciclasina en bulbos de Hippeastrum equestre Herb. Se reporta por primera vez el espectro de 13C-RMN de dicho compuesto