Water-Soluble Curcumin Derivatives Including Aza-Crown Ether Macrocycles as Enhancers of their Cytotoxic Activity.

The synthesis of three novel curcumin derivative compounds, featuring aza-crown ether macrocycles of various sizes (aza-12-crown-4, aza-15-crown-5, and aza-18-crown-6), is described. The incorporation of these aza-crown macrocycles significantly enhances their water solubility, positioning them as groundbreaking instances of curcumin derivatives that are fully soluble in aqueous environments. These curcumin ligands (L1, L2, and L3) were then reacted with zinc acetate to afford the coordination metal complexes (L1-Zn, L2-Zn, and L3-Zn).

Exploring the persistence of the fluorinated thiolate 2,3,5,6-S(CFH-4) motif to establish π-π stacking in metal complexes: a crystal engineering perspective.

π-π stacking interactions are versatile because they are involved in many processes, such as protein folding, DNA stacking, and drug recognition. However, from the point of view of crystal engineering, there is an incipient knowledge of its exploitation. A comparison of these interactions with hydrogen bonds shows a huge difference in their employment as a reliable non-covalent interaction.

Cross-species transcriptomics reveals differential regulation of essential photosynthesis genes in Hirschfeldia incana.

Photosynthesis is the only yield-related trait not yet substantially improved by plant breeding. Previously, we have established H. incana as the model plant for high photosynthetic light-use efficiency (LUE).

Health risk assessment by consumption of commercial biota contaminated with heavy metals in Tampamachoco coastal lagoon, Gulf of Mexico.

Metal pollution is a significant environmental and health problem in aquatic ecosystems worldwide, particularly in coastal systems impacted by emissions from thermoelectric plants, as is the case of the Tampamachoco lagoon. To evaluate the seasonal contamination levels of Cd, Pb, Cr, and Cu in species of commercial interest in the Tampamachoco lagoon and estimate the health risk associated with their consumption, a total of 180 fish, 90 oysters (Crassostrea virginica), 27 crabs (Callinectes sapidus), and 24 shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus) were sampled. Metal concentrations in the species analyzed were Cu > Pb > Cr > Cd.

Synthesis of Para-Acetylated Functionalized Ni(II)-POCOP Pincer Complexes and Their Cytotoxicity Evaluation Against Human Cancer Cell Lines.

A series of three Ni(II)-POCOP complexes para-functionalized with an acetoxyl fragment were synthesized. All complexes (2 a-c) were fully characterized through standard analytical techniques. The molecular structure of complex 2 b was unambiguously determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, revealing that the metal center is situated in a slightly distorted square-planar environment.

The human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus can produce the highest known number of meiotic crossovers.

Sexual reproduction involving meiosis is essential in most eukaryotes. This produces offspring with novel genotypes, both by segregation of parental chromosomes as well as crossovers between homologous chromosomes. A sexual cycle for the opportunistic human pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is known, but the genetic consequences of meiosis have remained unknown.

Computational Evaluation of the Potential Pharmacological Activity of Salen-Type Ligands in Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia representing from 60% to 70% of the cases globally. It is a multifactorial disease that, among its many pathological characteristics, has been found to provoke the metal ion dysregulation in the brain, along with an increase in the oxidative stress. There is proof that metallic complexes formed by the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and extraneuronal copper can catalyze the production of reactive oxygen species, leading to an increase in oxidative stress, promoting neuronal death.

The genome sequence of Hirschfeldia incana, a new Brassicaceae model to improve photosynthetic light-use efficiency.

Photosynthesis is a key process in sustaining plant and human life. Improving the photosynthetic capacity of agricultural crops is an attractive means to increase their yields. While the core mechanisms of photosynthesis are highly conserved in C plants, these mechanisms are very flexible, allowing considerable diversity in photosynthetic properties.

Temporal distribution patterns of metals in water, sediment, and components of the trophic structure in a tropical coastal lagoon of the Gulf of Mexico.

Trophic transfer and bioaccumulation of trace metals have a profound impact on the structure and function of coastal areas; however, the metal accumulation patterns in detritus-based food webs and the influence of climatic variability have not been thoroughly investigated. The Tampamachoco Lagoon (Gulf of Mexico) is a coastal system impacted by emissions from a thermoelectric plant. We evaluated the spatial-temporal distribution patterns of Al, Cd, Hg, Cr, Cu, and Pb in water, sediments, and in organisms categorized by trophic levels (TLs), trophic guilds, and habitat preferences.

High antibacterial performance of hydrophobic chitosan-based nanoparticles loaded with Carvacrol.

Bacterial infections have become one of the top ten public health concerns worldwide. These problems are aggravated with the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacterial strains. Thus, it is necessary to adopt novel technological strategies, such as development of bionanomaterials to prevent the infection, and treat this kind of bacteria.

Does timing matter on tocilizumab administration? Clinical, analytical and radiological outcomes in COVID-19.

Introduction: While there are no pharmacological treatments with proven efficacy for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), tocilizumab has emerged as a candidate therapy. Some aspects of this therapy are still unknown, including the optimal timing of administration.

Objective: This observational study aimed to compare the 90-day mortality in two cohorts of patients when the drug was administered within the first 10 days from onset of symptoms or after day 11.

Cerebellar gangliocytoma as a cause of fluctuating hearing loss.

Cerebellar lesions could be a cause of fluctuating hearing loss, due to the increase of intracranial pressure by partially or complete blocking of the Foramen of Luschka. Patients with intracranial hypertension may present audio-vestibular symptoms. Fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss may be the manifestation of different inner ear disorders such as Meniere's disease (MD), immune-mediated inner ear disease (IMIED), otosyphilis, and labyrinthine fistula including semicircular canal dehiscence.

Fluorinated-NHC Transition Metal Complexes: Leading Characters as Potential Anticancer Metallodrugs.

In the last 20 years, N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) ligands have been ubiquitous in biological and medicinal chemistry. Part of their success lies in the tremendous number of topologies that can be synthesized and thus finely tuned that have been described so far. This is particularly true in the case of those derivatives, including fluorine or fluorinated fragments on their NHC moieties, gaining much attention due to their enhanced biological properties and turning them into excellent candidates for the development of novel metallodrugs.

Malignancy risk of sonographically benign appearing purely solid adnexal masses in asymptomatic postmenopausal women.

Objective: To assess the natural history of benign appearing purely solid ovarian lesions in asymptomatic postmenopausal women.

Methods: Retrospective observational cohort study comprising 99 women (mean age, 58.2 years, ranging from 50 to 77 years) diagnosed as having a purely solid ovarian lesion at transvaginal ultrasound between April 2001 and October 2015.

GH3 tumor pituitary cell cytoskeleton and plasma membrane arrangement are determined by extracellular matrix proteins: implications on motility, proliferation and hormone secretion.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) influences different physiological and pathophysiological aspects of the cell. The ECM consists in a complex network of macromolecules with characteristic biochemical properties that allow cells to sense their environments inducing different signals and changing cell behavior. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the participation of different ECM proteins in cell morphology and its implication on motility, proliferation and hormone secretion in GH3 cells, a tumor pituitary cell.

Cyclo-hexane-1,4-dicarb-oxy-lic acid-pyridinium-4-olate (1/1).

In the title adduct, C5H5NO·C8H12O4, the heterocycle exists in its zwitterionic form. The cyclo-hexane ring exhibits a chair conformation with the carb-oxy-lic acid groups in equatorial and axial orientations. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked through charge-assisted O-H⋯O(-), N(+)-H⋯O(-) and N(+)-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, and an additional series of C-H⋯O contacts, giving a pleated two-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network parallel to (-204).

The effects of fluoride on cell migration, cell proliferation, and cell metabolism in GH4C1 pituitary tumour cells.

The consumption of drinking water rich in fluoride has toxic effects on the central nervous system. In cell biology research, fluoride is currently used as a phosphatase inhibitor. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of fluoride on different physiological processes in GH4C1 pituitary tumour cells.

Role of extracellular matrix-cell interaction and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on EGF-receptors and actin cytoskeleton arrangement in infantile pituitary cells.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) induces changes in cell morphology, actin cytoskeleton, and adhesion processes in cultured infantile pituitary cells. The extracellular matrix, through integrin engagement, collaborates with growth factors in cell signaling. We have examined the participation of collagen I/III and collagen plus fibronectin in the EGF response of infantile pituitary cells with respect to their cell morphology and actin cytoskeleton.

Stable genetic transformation of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius.

In the present work the genetic transformation and the expression of gene markers in transgenic Pisolithus tinctorius are reported. The ectomycorrhizae are facultative symbionts of plant roots, which are capable of affording mineral nutrients to its co-host in exchange of fixed carbon. Given the importance of this association (more than 80% of gymnosperms are associated with these fungi), its study from both basic and applied viewpoints is relevant.

The impact of a monophasic continuous estro-progestogenic treatment on Latin American menopausal women.

Objective: The present study was undertaken to assess the impact, effectiveness and safety of a monophasic hormone replacement treatment (HRT) for continuous use with regards to the clinical effects, bleeding patterns and lipid profile of menopausal women in four Latin American countries.

Design: Three hundred and six postmenopausal women with natural menopause and uterus present were recruited. This was a multicentre prospective, clinical trial; the participating countries were Brazil (BR), Colombia (CO), Mexico (MX) and Argentina (AR).

A 13-month multicenter clinical experience of a low-dose monophasic oral contraceptive containing 20 microg ethinylestradiol and 75 microg gestodene in Latin American women.

This prospective, multicenter study was conducted to evaluate the contraceptive reliability, cycle control and tolerability of a 21-day oral contraceptive regimen containing 20 microg ethinylestradiol and 75 microg gestodene in four Latin American countries (Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and Colombia). Participants took trial medication daily for 21 days. Contraceptive efficacy, cycle control and tolerability were evaluated over a period of 13 cycles.

Latin american experience with two low-dose oral contraceptives containing 30 microg ethinylestradiol/75 microg gestodene and 20 microg ethinylestradiol/150 microg desogestrel.

The objective of this study was to compare cycle control, efficacy and tolerance of an oral contraceptive containing 20 microg ethinylestradiol and 150 microg desogestrel with a preparation containing 30 microg ethinylestradiol combined with 75 microg gestodene. This study involved 342 women and 4104 cycles use in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. Contraceptive efficacy was good with both formulations.

Mesigyna once-a-month combined injectable contraceptive: experience in Latin America.

A phase III clinical study was carried out among 534 fertile Latin American women to evaluate cycle control, side effects, and contraceptive efficacy of a once-a-month combined injectable, Mesigyna, consisting of 50 mg norethisterone enanthate and 5 mg estradiol valerate. The pregnancy rate at 1 year was 0 per 100 woman-years for a total experience of 4688 woman-months. The overall discontinuation rate at one year was 17.

Cytokine expression is downregulated by collagen-polyvinylpyrrolidone in hypertrophic scars.

We evaluated the in situ expression of adhesion molecules (E-selectin and vascular cell-adhesion molecule) and proinflammatory/fibrogenic cytokines (IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta1, and PDGF) in sections of normal skin, hypertrophic scar, and hypertrophic scar previously treated with an irradiated mixture of collagen-polyvinylpyrrolidone and completely resolved. Expression of these proteins was detected by indirect immunoperoxidase staining. The hypertrophic scar group displayed an increased amount of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta1, and PDGF compared with the normal skin and treated scar groups.