Selective anticancer and antimicrobial metallodrugs based on Gold(III) dithiocarbamate complexes

New dithiocarbamate cycloaurated complexes have been synthesized and their physicochemical and in vitro antitumor properties have been evaluated. All the performed studies highlighted good transport through the blood and biodistribution, according to the balance between the properties of hydrophilicity/lipophilicity and the binding of moderate strength to the BSA protein. Furthermore, none of the complexes exhibited reduction or decomposition reactions, presenting excellent physiological stability. The in vitro cytotoxic effect was evaluated on human colon cancer cell line Caco-2/TC7, and the complexes showed great antiproliferative activity and excellent selectivity, as much less effect was detected on normal Caco-2/TC7 cells. Most of the complexes exhibit antiproliferative activity that was better than or similar to auranofin, and at least nine times better than that of cisplatin. Its action mechanism is still under discussion since no evidence of cell cycle arrest was found, but an antioxidant role was shown for some of the selective complexes. All complexes were also tested as antimicrobial drugs, exhibiting good activity towards S. aureus and E. coli. bacteria and C. albicans and C. neoformans fungi. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/)

Translation Initiation Factor AteIF(iso)4E Is Involved in Selective mRNA Translation in Arabidopsis Thaliana Seedlings

One of the most regulated steps of translation initiation is the recruitment of mRNA by the translation machinery. In eukaryotes, this step is mediated by the 5′end cap-binding factor eIF4E bound to the bridge protein eIF4G and forming the eIF4F complex. In plants, different isoforms of eIF4E and eIF4G form the antigenically distinct eIF4F and eIF(iso)4F complexes proposed to mediate selective translation. Using a microarray analysis of polyribosome- and non-polyribosome-purified mRNAs from 15 day-old Arabidopsis thaliana wild type [WT] and eIF(iso)4E knockout mutant [(iso)4E-1] seedlings we found 79 transcripts shifted from polyribosomes toward non-polyribosomes, and 47 mRNAs with the opposite behavior in the knockout mutant. The translationally decreased mRNAs were overrepresented in root-preferentially expressed genes and proteins from the endomembrane system, including several transporters such as the phosphate transporter PHOSPHATE1 (PHO1), Sucrose transporter 3 (SUC3), ABC transporter-like with ATPase activity (MRP11) and five electron transporters, as well as signal transduction-, protein modification- and transcription-related proteins. Under normal growth conditions, eIF(iso)4E expression under the constitutive promoter 35 S enhanced the polyribosomal recruitment of PHO1 supporting its translational preference for eIF(iso)4E. Furthermore, under phosphate deficiency, the PHO1 protein increased in the eIF(iso)4E overexpressing plants and decreased in the knockout mutant as compared to wild type. In addition, the knockout mutant had larger root, whereas the 35 S directed expression of eIF(iso)4E caused shorter root under normal growth conditions, but not under phosphate deficiency. These results indicate that selective translation mediated by eIF(iso)4E is relevant for Arabidopsis root development under normal growth conditions

Análisis de la Producción Científica sobre Ecosistemas Empresariales

The approach of business ecosystems (BE) may be a sustainable alternative for economic activities. The objective was to conduct a bibliometric study of BE based on the Web of Science. There was a total production of 272 documents published from 1991 to May 2019, with peaks in 2007 and 2017. Thematic networks, records, and productivity were built by sources, countries, institutions, keywords, h-index, co-authorship, and co-citations. Findings indicate 587 authors, from 53 countries. The most productive journals have high impact levels. China produces the highest number of publications, but the United States and the United Kingdom have the highest number of citations. Innovation and strategy are topics related to BE. There are different perspectives to BE, and the theoretical foundations of the concept of BE are still under discussion, but some Eastern countries are already in the implementation phase. BE have a high potential of application for large-scale sustainable development.El enfoque de los ecosistemas empresariales (EE) puede ser una alternativa sostenible de las actividades económicas. El objetivo fue desarrollar un estudio bibliométrico sobre EE a partir de la Web of Science. Se encontraron 272 documentos publicados entre 1991 y mayo 2019, con picos de producción en 2007 y 2017. Se construyeron las redes temáticas, registros y productividad por fuentes, países, instituciones, palabra clave, h-index, co-autoría y co-citas. Se encontraron 587 autores, de 53 países. Las revistas más productivas tienen altos niveles de impacto. China produce el mayor número de publicaciones, pero Estados Unidos y Reino Unido tienen el mayor número de citas. Innovación y estrategia son temas relacionados con EE. Aunque existen diferentes perspectivas y la base conceptual de los EE está todavía en discusión, algunos países orientales ya están en la implementación. Los EE tienen un alto potencial de aplicación para el desarrollo sostenible a gran escala

Incidence of Dementia in Elderly Latin Americans: Results of the Maracaibo Aging Study

Introduction—There are few longitudinal studies of dementia in developing countries. We used longitudinal data from the Maracaibo Aging Study (MAS) to accurately determine the age- and sex-specific incidence of dementia in elderly Latin Americans. Methods—The DSM IV-R was used to diagnose dementia, which was classified as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), or other. Age- and sex-specific incidence was estimated as the number of new cases of dementia divided by person-years of follow-up (p-y). Results—The incidence of all dementia diagnoses was 9.10 per 1000 p-y (95% CI 7.13–11.44; 8026 total p-y), 5.18 for AD (95% CI 3.72–7.03; 7916 total p-y), and 3.35 for VaD (95% CI 2.19–4.91; 7757 total p-y). Discussion—Among MAS participants under 65 years of age, the incidence of dementia was higher than that of US whites. Among individuals over 65 years of age, the incidence was comparable to the mean of previous incidence estimates for other populations worldwide

Bean rust resistance and yield of black bean genotypes under field conditions

Objective: To identify black bean lines resistant to rust under field conditions, and with yield equal to or greater than that of three varieties for commercial use in Veracruz. Design/methodology/approach: The genotypes were evaluated in a randomized block experimental design with three replications. Its reaction to rust was rated on an incidence scale of 1 to 9 and grain yield was estimated in kilograms per hectare. Analyses of variance were performed and to separate averages, the Least Significant Difference was applied at 0.05. Correlation analyses were also carried out between the rust incidence values ​​and the yield of the genotypes at each evaluation site. Results: Nine lines were resistant to rust with an average incidence of between 1.78 and 3.33, of which Jamapa Plus/XRAV-187-3-4-4 was the most productive with an average yield of 2183.4 kg ha-1, statistically similar. to that obtained by the Jamapa Plus/XRAV-187-3-4-1 and Jamapa Plus/XRAV-187-3-1-2 lines and the Verdín variety, and significantly higher than that of the rest of the genotypes. Limitations on study/implications: Although the rust occurred in the three study locations, its degree of incidence and the stage in which it appeared were different. However, in all cases, the degree of infection was sufficient to evaluate the reaction of the genotypes to this disease. Findings/conclusions: Three lines resistant to rust were identified under field conditions, with an average yield significantly higher than that of the Negro Jamapa and Negro Medellín varieties.  Objective: To identify black beans lines resistant to bean rust under field conditions, which have similar or higher yield than three commercial varieties sown in Veracruz, Mexico. Design/Methodology/Approach: The genotypes were evaluated using a completely randomized block design. The reaction of the genotypes to bean rust was qualified using a 1-9 incidence rate, while grain yield was estimated in kg ha-1. An analysis of variance was carried out and the resulting means were divided using a 0.05 Least Significant Difference (LSD). Additionally, a correlation analysis between the incidence values of bean rust and the yield of the genotypes was carried out in each evaluation site. Results: Nine lines were resistant to bean rust (incidence average: 1.78-3.33). Out of these lines, Jamapa Plus/XRAV-187-3-4-4 was the most productive line, with a 2,183.4 kg ha-1 average yield. This result is statistically similar to the results of the Jamapa Plus/XRAV-187-3-4-1 and Jamapa Plus/XRAV-187-3-1-2 lines and the Verdín variety. In addition, the results of Jamapa Plus/XRAV-187-3-4-4 are slightly higher than the results obtained by the rest of the genotypes. Study Limitations/Implications: Although bean rust was recorded in three of the localities of the study area, the incidence degree and the stage when it was found were different. However, in all the cases, the infection degree was enough to evaluate the reactions of the genotypes to this disease. Findings/Conclusions: Three bean rust-resistant lines were identified under field conditions. They had a significantly higher average yield than the Negro Jamapa and Negro Medellín varieties

Planetary Candidates Observed by Kepler. VIII. A Fully Automated Catalog With Measured Completeness and Reliability Based on Data Release 25

We present the Kepler Object of Interest (KOI) catalog of transiting exoplanets based on searching four years of Kepler time series photometry (Data Release 25, Q1-Q17). The catalog contains 8054 KOIs of which 4034 are planet candidates with periods between 0.25 and 632 days. Of these candidates, 219 are new and include two in multi-planet systems (KOI-82.06 and KOI-2926.05), and ten high-reliability, terrestrial-size, habitable zone candidates. This catalog was created using a tool called the Robovetter which automatically vets the DR25 Threshold Crossing Events (TCEs, Twicken et al. 2016). The Robovetter also vetted simulated data sets and measured how well it was able to separate TCEs caused by noise from those caused by low signal-to-noise transits. We discusses the Robovetter and the metrics it uses to sort TCEs. For orbital periods less than 100 days the Robovetter completeness (the fraction of simulated transits that are determined to be planet candidates) across all observed stars is greater than 85%. For the same period range, the catalog reliability (the fraction of candidates that are not due to instrumental or stellar noise) is greater than 98%. However, for low signal-to-noise candidates between 200 and 500 days around FGK dwarf stars, the Robovetter is 76.7% complete and the catalog is 50.5% reliable. The KOI catalog, the transit fits and all of the simulated data used to characterize this catalog are available at the NASA Exoplanet Archive.Comment: 61 pages, 23 Figures, 9 Tables, Accepted to The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Serie

Management of a ruptured epidural catheter, an anesthesiologist's dilemma: a case report

Epidural anesthesia is a widely used anesthetic technique in lower extremity surgeries although it is a relatively safe procedure, it can have complications, such as rupture of the epidural catheter. This is a 69-year-old male patient with a diagnosis of Wagner IV diabetic foot is presented, which was scheduled for left supracondylar amputation in which after epidural block, retention of the catheter tip in the epidural space at level L2-L3 was seen, so hemi laminectomy was performed in a second surgical stage in L2 and removal of the epidural catheter. Ideally a broken needle should be removed as soon as possible

IFNγ Response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Risk of Infection and Disease in Household Contacts of Tuberculosis Patients in Colombia

OBJECTIVES: Household contacts (HHCs) of pulmonary tuberculosis patients are at high risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and early disease development. Identification of individuals at risk of tuberculosis disease is a desirable goal for tuberculosis control. Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) using specific M. tuberculosis antigens provide an alternative to tuberculin skin testing (TST) for infection detection. Additionally, the levels of IFNgamma produced in response to these antigens may have prognostic value. We estimated the prevalence of M. tuberculosis infection by IGRA and TST in HHCs and their source population (SP), and assessed whether IFNgamma levels in HHCs correlate with tuberculosis development. METHODS: A cohort of 2060 HHCs was followed for 2-3 years after exposure to a tuberculosis case. Besides TST, IFNgamma responses to mycobacterial antigens: CFP, CFP-10, HspX and Ag85A were assessed in 7-days whole blood cultures and compared to 766 individuals from the SP in Medellín, Colombia. Isoniazid prophylaxis was not offered to child contacts because Colombian tuberculosis regulations consider it only in children under 5 years, TST positive without BCG vaccination. RESULTS: Using TST 65.9% of HHCs and 42.7% subjects from the SP were positive (OR 2.60, p<0.0001). IFNgamma response to CFP-10, a biomarker of M. tuberculosis infection, tested positive in 66.3% HHCs and 24.3% from the SP (OR = 6.07, p<0.0001). Tuberculosis incidence rate was 7.0/1000 person years. Children <5 years accounted for 21.6% of incident cases. No significant difference was found between positive and negative IFNgamma responders to CFP-10 (HR 1.82 95% CI 0.79-4.20 p = 0.16). However, a significant trend for tuberculosis development amongst high HHC IFNgamma producers was observed (trend Log rank p = 0.007). DISCUSSION: CFP-10-induced IFNgamma production is useful to establish tuberculosis infection prevalence amongst HHC and identify those at highest risk of disease. The high tuberculosis incidence amongst children supports administration of chemoprophylaxis to child contacts regardless of BCG vaccination

Red de monitoreo de eventos hidrológicos extremos en la vertiente sur del Río Salado, provincia de Buenos Aires

Se ha demostrado que los eventos hidrológicos extremos en la provincia de Buenos Aires constituyen una característica de la misma, considerando los balances de agua en el suelo (zona no saturada) de vital importancia. Estos balances indican que la cuenca del Río Salado es la más sensible a los excesos hídricos, y la región sudoeste de la provincia, la más perjudicada durante las deficiencias hídricas (Scarpati y Capriolo, 2013). Por ello toman importancia las tareas de prevención como son las obras civiles y las redes de monitoreo de las condiciones principales que intervienen en este tipo de fenómenos, con el fin de dar alerta a las autoridades competentes ya sea en períodos de inundaciones o de sequías. Una red de monitoreo comprende las actividades relativas a la recolección de datos, diseñados y procesados con un objetivo definido (Guía de prácticas hidrológicas, 1994). Consiste en un arreglo de sensores que conforman las estaciones y en un sistema de comunicación que permite la transmisión de los datos a los centros de monitoreo. Su principal función es el estudio de procesos fundamentales que se dan en el medio ambiente, como así también proveer alerta de amenazas, como por ejemplo de inundaciones, erupciones volcánicas, terremotos, tsunamis, etc. (Hart y Martinez, 2006). El monitoreo y la recolección de datos hidro-meteorológicos es importante debido a que los eventos naturales como precipitaciones, temperaturas, velocidades del viento, entre otros, son irrepetibles en la naturaleza (Fattorelli y Fernández, 2011). El diseño de una red hidro-meteorológica comprende principalmente el conocimiento hidrológico y climático de la zona en la cual se establecerá

XQ-100: A legacy survey of one hundred 3.5 72 z 72 4.5 quasars observed with VLT/X-shooter

We describe the execution and data reduction of the European Southern Observatory Large Programme "Quasars and their absorption lines: a legacy survey of the high-redshift Universe with VLT/X-shooter" (hereafter "XQ-100"). XQ-100 has produced and made publicly available a homogeneous and high-quality sample of echelle spectra of 100 quasars (QSOs) at redshifts z 43 3.5-4.5 observed with full spectral coverage from 315 to 2500 nm at a resolving power ranging from R \u303. 4000 to 7000, depending on wavelength. The median signal-to-noise ratios are 33, 25 and 43, as measured at rest-frame wavelengths 1700, 3000 and 3600 \uc5, respectively. This paper provides future users of XQ-100 data with the basic statistics of the survey, along with details of target selection, data acquisition and data reduction. The paper accompanies the public release of all data products, including 100 reduced spectra. XQ-100 is the largest spectroscopic survey to date of high-redshift QSOs with simultaneous rest-frame UV/optical coverage, and as such enables a wide range of extragalactic research, from cosmology and galaxy evolution to AGN astrophysics. \ua9 2016 ESO