Molecular Docking Studies of Spirostans as MAPK14 (P38α) Inhibitors and Their Potential use against Cancer

Spirostans (SPs) are chemical products widely distributed in the plant kingdom; currently, they are studied by their medical applications. Cancer has a high incidence in humans; it reaches second place worldwide deaths. In molecular biology, it has been accepted that Mitogen-Activated Protein p38alpha Kinase (MAPK14 (p38α)) is implicated in the regulation of cancer. This study aimed to identify SPs as potential MAPK14 (p38α) inhibitors. From a set of 133 modified SPs, SwissTargetPrediction platform, and molecular docking, it was obtained that 129 chemical structures had molecular interaction with the MAPK14 (p38α). From those molecules, 123 were bound to a specific inhibition site of MAPK14 (p38α), and 6 of the structures resulted in inhibitors similarly to minocycline and dasatinib. One SP had binding couple energy (BCE, kcal/mol) as that of fostamatinib. In addition, 115 modified SPs had better BCE than the minocycline but not as that using fostamatinib. The key amino acids (aa) for the protein kinase MAPK14 (p38α) inhibition were Arg 70, Asp 168, Lys 53, His 148, and Ile 145, at a different interaction level. The BCE was enhanced when the H atom was substituted in C-2, C-11, and C-17 SPs positions. Similarly, the αOH group at C-5 and C-6 upgraded BCE. Stereochemistry and substitution at C-3, C-12, and C-25 did not present significant differences (Kruskal-Wallis test, p <0.05). From all this ensemble of results, it is foreseeable that the SPs can be an option for MAPK14 (p38α) inhibition, a key modulator in cancer processes

Feromonas: la Neuroquímica Invisible de la Comunicación Animal

Mammals such as rodents recognize characteristics related to age, health status, and reproductive potential through pheromone-mediated olfactory communication. Pheromones are secreted through urine and exocrine glands, capable of inducing responses that affect short- and long-term behavior. The reaction to exposure varies depending on individual characteristics and previous experience. Pheromones are detected through the vomeronasal organ using specialized neurons that express the V1R and V2R receptors. The activation of these proteins culminates in changes in reproductive behavior and physiology. The expression of pheromone receptors is also linked to neurogenesis. Alterations in the function of the vomeronasal organ, such as ablation or inhibition of the expression of pheromone receptor genes, can significantly modify the behavior of rodents. In the human species, research suggests the possible existence of a vomeronasal organ capable of responding to pheromones. However, this is an evolving area of study. Finally, it is crucial to continue investigating how olfactory stimuli influence behavior and emotional state.Los mamíferos como los roedores reconocen características relacionadas con la edad, el estado de salud y el potencial reproductivo a través de la comunicación olfativa mediada por feromonas. Las feromonas se secretan a través de la orina y las glándulas exocrinas, y son capaces de inducir respuestas que afectan el comportamiento a corto y largo plazo. La reacción a la exposición varía según las características individuales y la experiencia previa. Las feromonas se detectan a través del órgano vomeronasal mediante neuronas especializadas que expresan los receptores V1R y V2R. La activación de estas proteínas culmina en cambios en el comportamiento y la fisiología reproductiva. La expresión de receptores de feromonas también está relacionada con la neurogénesis. Las alteraciones en la función del órgano vomeronasal, como la ablación o inhibición de la expresión de genes receptores de feromonas, pueden modificar significativamente el comportamiento de los roedores. En la especie humana, las investigaciones sugieren la posible existencia de un órgano vomeronasal capaz de responder a las feromonas. Sin embargo, ésta es un área de estudio en evolución. Finalmente, es crucial seguir investigando cómo los estímulos olfativos influyen en el comportamiento y el estado emocional

Ansiedad y depresión en los estudiantes de licenciatura de ciencias naturales y exactas de la BUAP-México

La ansiedad y la depresión son trastornos neuropsicológicos que afectan el rendimiento escolar de los estudiantes universitarios. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer el estado de ansiedad y depresión de los estudiantes de licenciatura de las áreas de ciencias naturales y exactas de la BUAP-México. Participaron 497 voluntarios, 59.5 % fueron mujeres y 40.5 % hombres cuya edad estuvo entre 19-25 años, sin diagnóstico clínico documentado y sin medicación declarada. Se usó la escala de ansiedad y depresión de Goldberg EADG para sondear los estados de precondición y condición de ansiedad y depresión de los jóvenes. Se obtuvo que, en las mujeres y los hombres, la ansiedad fue de 64.4 y 48.2%, respectivamente, mientras que para la depresión fue 54.4 y 49.7%, respectivamente. Estos resultados indican que la ansiedad y la depresión tuvieron alta prevalencia entre los estudiantes involucrados en el estudio, siendo mayor en las mujeres en comparación con los hombres. Con base en estos resultados se infiere la conveniencia de revisar la relación existente entre los estudiantes y los profesores, el personal administrativo y directivo para futuros estudios. Adicionalmente, reorientar las políticas de acompañamiento universitario con el fin de evitar la deserción escolar y aumentar el rendimiento académico.Abdi G. González-Benítez recibió beca del programa haciendo ciencia VIEP-2019

Taurine Increases Zinc Preconditioning-Induced Prevention of Nitrosative Stress, Metabolic Alterations, and Motor Deficits in Young Rats following Intrauterine Ischemia

Oxygen deprivation in newborns leads to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, whose hallmarks are oxidative/nitrosative stress, energetic metabolism alterations, nutrient deficiency, and motor behavior disability. Zinc and taurine are known to protect against hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in adults and neonates. However, the combined effect of prophylactic zinc administration and therapeutic taurine treatment on intrauterine ischemia- (IUI-) induced cerebral damage remains unknown. The present work evaluated this issue in male pups subjected to transient IUI (10 min) at E17 and whose mothers received zinc from E1 to E16 and taurine from E17 to postnatal day 15 (PND15) via drinking water. We assessed motor alterations, nitrosative stress, lipid peroxidation, and the antioxidant system comprised of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Enzymes of neuronal energetic pathways, such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), were also evaluated. The hierarchization score of the protective effect of pharmacological strategies (HSPEPS) was used to select the most effective treatment. Compared with the IUI group, zinc, alone or combined with taurine, improved motor behavior and reduced nitrosative stress by increasing SOD, CAT, and GPx activities and decreasing the GSSG/GSH ratio in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Taurine alone increased the AST/ALT, LDH/ALT, and AST/LDH ratios in the cerebral cortex, showing improvement of the neural bioenergetics system. This result suggests that taurine improves pyruvate, lactate, and glutamate metabolism, thus decreasing IUI-caused cerebral damage and relieving motor behavior impairment. Our results showed that taurine alone or in combination with zinc provides neuroprotection in the IUI rat model