Computer-guided total synthesis of natural products: recent examples and future perspectives

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOQuantum chemical calculations of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) shifts and coupling constants have been extensively employed in recent years mainly to facilitate structural elucidation of organic molecules. When the results of such calculations are used29510411075FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO2013/07607-82014/25474-82016/12541-4The authors are grateful to FAPESP (grants 2013/07607-8, 2014/25474-8 and 2016/12541-4) and CONICET, ANPCyT and UNR for financial suppor

Total Synthesis and Structural Validation of Phosdiecin A via Asymmetric Alcohol-Mediated Carbonyl Reductive Coupling

The first total synthesis and structural validation of phosdiecin A was accomplished in 13 steps through asymmetric iridium-catalyzed alcohol-mediated carbonyl reductive coupling. The present route is the shortest among >30 total and formal syntheses of fostriecin family members.Fil: Della Felice, Franco. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasil. University of Texas at Austin; Estados UnidosFil: Sarotti, Ariel Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Química Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Química Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Krische, Michael J.. University of Texas at Austin; Estados UnidosFil: Pilli, Ronaldo A.. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasi

Biomimetic hydroxyapatite nanocrystals are an active carrier for Salmonella bacteriophages

open access articlePurpose: The use of bacteriophages represents a valid alternative to conventional antimicrobial treatments, overcoming the widespread bacterial antibiotic resistance phenomenon. In this work, we evaluated whether biomimetic hydroxyapatite (HA) nanocrystals are able to enhance some properties of bacteriophages. The final goal of this study was to demonstrate that biomimetic HA nanocrystals can be used for bacteriophage delivery in the context of bacterial infections, and contribute – at the same time – to enhance some of the biological properties of the same bacteriophages such as stability, preservation, antimicrobial activity, and so on. Materials and methods: Phage isolation and characterization were carried out by using Mitomycin C and following double-layer agar technique. The biomimetic HA water suspension was synthesized in order to obtain nanocrystals with plate-like morphology and nanometric dimensions. The interaction of phages with the HA was investigated by dynamic light scattering and Zeta potential analyses. The cytotoxicity and intracellular killing activities of the phage–HA complex were evaluated in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. The bacterial inhibition capacity of the complex was assessed on chicken minced meat samples infected with Salmonella Rissen. Results: Our data highlighted that the biomimetic HA nanocrystal–bacteriophage complex was more stable and more effective than phages alone in all tested experimental conditions. Conclusion: Our results evidenced the important contribution of biomimetic HA nanocrystals: they act as an excellent carrier for bacteriophage delivery and enhance its biological characteristics. This study confirmed the significant role of the mineral HA when it is complexed with biological entities like bacteriophages, as it has been shown for molecules such as lactoferrin

Effectiveness of endoscopic trans-tendineous repair for partial-thickness tears of medius gluteus: A systematic review of literature

Tears of the gluteus medius can result in chronic hip pain over time. Pathological onsets involving the gluteus medius cause pain and weakness of abductor strength. Endoscopic repair is a suitable, effective and safe surgical alternative to traditional open techniques and give satisfactory results over time restoring the footprint of gluteus medius. The purpose of this systematic review is to analyse the effectiveness of endoscopic trans-tendinous technique for partial-thickness tears, analysing the subjective and functional outcome over the time. A search of literature (PubMed, Scopus, WebOfKnowledge) was performed. The PRISMA method was used to screen the articles. A total of 4 articles was screened and included for qualitative analysis. For data extraction patient characteristics, pre-clinical examination, imaging, timing from symptoms to surgery, technique performed, subjective scales, functional outcomes, post-operative clinical assessment were analysed. Subjective scores at mean follow-up of 18 months show a significative improvement in all the scales reported, in relief of pain (VAS score) and in terms of strength of abductor. Trans-tendinous technique represents the gold standard to treat endoscopically these injuries. Furthermore, other studies with larger number of patients and longer follow-up are required to validate the best surgical approach for these injuries

Detection of parathion and patulin by quartz-crystal microbalance functionalized by the photonics immobilization technique

Oriented antibodies are tethered on the gold surface of a quartz crystal microbalance through the photonics immobilization technique so that limit of detection as low as 50 nM and 140 nM are achieved for parathion and patulin, respectively. To make these small analytes detectable by the microbalance, they have been weighed down through a “sandwich protocol” with a second antibody. The specificity against the parathion has been tested by checking the immunosensor response to a mixture of compounds similar to parathion, whereas the specificity against the patulin has been tested with a real sample from apple puree. In both cases, the results are more than satisfactory suggesting interesting outlook for the proposed device

Scar-Free Laparoscopy in BRCA-Mutated Women

Background and Objectives: BRCA 1 and 2 mutations have a cumulative risk of developing ovarian cancer at 70 years of 41% and 15%, respectively, while a cumulative risk of breast cancer by 80 years of age was 72% for BRCA1 mutation carriers and 69% for BRCA2 mutation carriers. The NCCN recommends risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO), typically between 35 and 40 years, and upon completion of childbearing in BRCA1 mutation, while it is reasonable to delay RRSO for management of ovarian cancer risk until age 40–45 years in patients with BRCA2. In recent years there have been two main lines of evolution in laparoscopy. The former concerning the development of a single-site laparoscopic and the latter concerning the miniaturisation of laparoscopic instruments (mini/micro-laparoscopy). Materials and Methods: In this case report, we show our experience in prophylactic adnexectomy, on a mutated-BRCA patient, using the MiniLap® percutaneous surgical system. Results: This type of technique is safe and effective and does not require a particular learning curve compared to single-port laparoscopy. Conclusions: The considerable aesthetic advantage of the scars, we believe, albeit to a lesser extent, is useful to find in these patients burdened by an important stress loa

A regional survey on Merkel cell carcinoma: a plea for uniform patient journey modeling and diagnostic–therapeutic pathway

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine cancer that usually affects the elderly and immunosuppressed in sun-exposed areas. Due to its rarity, it is frequently unrecognized, and its management is not standardized across medical centers, despite the more recent availability of immunotherapy, with avelumab as first-line treatment improving the prognosis even in advanced stages of disease. We conducted a purpose-designed survey of a selected sample of physicians working in the Lazio region, in Italy, to assess their awareness and knowledge of MCC as well as their perspective on assisted diagnostic and therapeutic pathways. The Lazio region, and in particular Rome, is one of the most important academic and non- academic center in Italy dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer. A total of 368 doctors (including 100 general practitioners, 72 oncologists, 87 dermatologists, 59 surgeons, and 50 anatomopathologists) agreed to be part of this survey. Surgeons, oncologists, and dermatologists thought themselves significantly more updated on MCC than primary care physicians, but more than half of the interviewees are interested in CCM training courses and training with clearer and more standardized care pathways. Significant differences have been reported from survey participants in terms of multidisciplinary team set up for MCC management. The identification of specialized centers and the improvement of communication pathways among different specialties, as well as between patients and physicians, could be very beneficial in improving patients’ journey modeling and starting a uniform diagnostic and therapeutic pathway for MCC patients in the new era of immunotherapies

The COVID-19 Student Stress Questionnaire: Validation in Spanish university students from health sciences

This study aimed to validate the Spanish version of the COVID-19 Student Stress Questionnaire (CSSQ), a 7-item tool assessing COVID-19-related stressors among university students, namely, Relationships and Academic Life, Isolation, and Fear of Contagion. Participants were 331 Spanish university students. Factor analyses sustained the three factor solution of the original tool. Data also revealed satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity, suitable internal consistency, and significant associations with psychological symptoms, as measured by the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. The Spanish version of the CSSQ represents a valid tool to be used in clinical settings to timely identify students at high psychological risk and to develop evidence-based interventions during/after the pandemic