Incidence of the nordihydroguaiaretic acid content on the in vitro antiviral activity of extracts obtained from larrea divaricata cav. (Zygophyllaceae)

The South American species Larrea divaricata Cav. (Zygophyllaceae) has been widely used in folk medicine against infectious diseases. In previous studies, we reported that several extracts obtained from the aerial parts of this species and the nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), its main lignan, inhibited Junin Virus (JUNV) in vitro. In this work, the objective was to assess whether NDGA is truly responsible for the antiviral activity produced by the extracts. Therefore, the presence and amount of NDGA in extracts were determined by HPLC. We established that NDGA in the extracts analyzed is required to inhibit JUNV and observed that some components of the bioactive extracts would increase the antiviral effect of NDGA. On the other hand, we estimated the selectivity index for NDGA against JUNV. Thus, NDGA and extracts containing this lignan exhibited potential therapeutic effects against the etiologic agent of the Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever, an endemo-epidemic illness in this country.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Evaluation of four classification algorithms of Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 satellite images to identify forest cover in highly fragmented regions in Costa Rica

[EN] Mapping of land use and forest cover and assessing their changes is essential in the design of strategies to manage and preserve the natural resources of a country, and remote sensing have been extensively used with this purpose. By comparing four classification algorithms and two types of satellite images, the objective of the research was to identify the type of algorithm and satellite image that allows higher global accuracy in the identification of forest cover in highly fragmented landscapes. The study included a treatment arrangement with three factors and six randomly selected blocks within the Huetar Norte Zone in Costa Rica. More accurate results were obtained for classifications based on Sentinel-2 images compared to Landsat-8 images. The best classification algorithms were Maximum Likelihood, Support Vector Machine or Neural Networks, and they yield better results than Minimum Distance Classification. There was no interaction among image type and classification methods, therefore, Sentinel-2 images can be used with any of the three best algorithms, but the best result was the combination of Sentinel-2 and Support Vector Machine. An additional factor included in the study was the image acquisition date. There were significant differences among months during which the image was acquired and an interaction between the classification algorithm and this factor was detected. The best results correspond to images obtained in April, and the lower to September, month that corresponds with the period of higher rainfall in the region studied. The higher global accuracy identifying forest cover is obtained with Sentinel-2 images from the dry season in combination with Maximum Likelihood, Support Vector Machine, and Neural Network image classification methods.[ES] Conocer y cartografiar los cambios del uso y cobertura de la tierra es esencial para la formulación de estrategias de manejo y conservación de los recursos naturales. Las herramientas que conforman la disciplina de la teledetección han sido extensamente usadas con este objetivo. Al comparar cuatro algoritmos de clasificación y dos tipos de imágenes satelitales, el objetivo de la investigación fue determinar el tipo de algoritmo e imagen satelital que permite obtener una mayor fiabilidad global en la identificación de la cobertura boscosa en paisajes de uso de la tierra con alta fragmentación. El estudio se desarrolló en la Zona Huetar Norte de Costa Rica, utilizando un diseño experimental de seis bloques con un arreglo de tratamientos con tres factores. El uso de imágenes Sentinel-2 fue superior al obtenido con Landsat-8. No existen diferencias significativas en la fiabilidad lograda con los algoritmos de clasificación de Máxima Verosimilitud, Máquinas de Vectores Soporte y Redes Neuronales, pero sí de estos con respecto a la clasificación por Mínima Distancia. No se detectó interacción entre tipo de imagen y algoritmo de clasificación, por lo que las imágenes de Sentinel-2 podrían usarse con cualquiera de los tres mejores algoritmos estudiados. Se analizó además el efecto que tuvo el mes en cada imagen adquirida, y se encontraron diferencias significativas debido a este factor, además se produce una interacción de este con el método de clasificación. Los mejores resultados se obtuvieron con imágenes de abril, y los más bajos con imágenes de septiembre, mes que coincide con la época lluviosa en la zona estudiada. Se concluye que la mayor fiabilidad en la identificación de la cobertura boscosa se logra mediante el uso de los algoritmos de Máxima Verosimilitud, Máquinas de Vectores Soporte y Redes Neuronales empleando imágenes Sentinel-2 tomadas en la temporada seca.Los autores agradecen a la Vice-Rectoría de Investigación y Extensión del ITCR por el apoyo financiero y administrativo para la realización del proyecto: Derivación indirecta de la distribución espacial y estado de desarrollo de los bosques secundarios en Costa Rica usando imágenes satelitales de mediana resolución espacial. Igualmente se agradece al programa de becas CeNAT-CONARE y al laboratorio PRIAS del Centro Nacional de Alta Tecnología (CeNAT) de Costa Rica por la facilitación de los equipos de cómputo de avanzada y el uso de las licencias de los softwares requeridos para llevar a cabo esta investigación.Ávila-Pérez, I.; Ortiz-Malavassi, E.; Soto-Montoya, C.; Vargas-Solano, Y.; Aguilar-Arias, H.; Miller-Granados, C. (2020). Evaluación de cuatro algoritmos de clasificación de imágenes satelitales Landsat-8 y Sentinel-2 para la identificación de cobertura boscosa en paisajes altamente fragmentados en Costa Rica. Revista de Teledetección. 0(57):37-49. https://doi.org/10.4995/raet.2020.13340OJS374905

The use of the SeDeM diagram expert system for the formulation of Captopril SR matrix tablets by direct compression

The SeDeM Diagram Expert System has been used to study excipients, Captopril and designed formulations for their galenic characterization and to ascertain the critical points of the formula affecting product quality to obtain suitable formulations of Captopril Direct Compression SR Matrix Tablets. The application of the Sedem Diagram Expert System enables selecting excipients with in order to optimize the formula in the preformulation and formulation studies. The methodology is based on the implementation of ICH Q8, establishing the design space of the formula with the use of experiment design, using the parameters of the SeDeM Diagram Expert System as system responses

Determination of non-toxic and subtoxic concentrations of potential antiviral natural anthraquinones

Anthraquinones-rich extracts of Heterophyllaea pustulata Hook f. (Rubiaceae) exhibited in vitro antiviral activity against Herpes Simplex Virus Type I, from which several anthraquinones (AQs) were isolated and identified. The Maximum Non-Cytotoxic Concentration (MNCC), the subtoxic concentration (SubTC), and the CC50 of each AQ were determined on a mammalian eukaryotic cell line (Vero cells) by means of Neutral Red uptake assay; the cytopathic effect was simultaneously evaluated by optical microscopy. The range of concentrations where each AQ did not exhibit cytotoxicity was established, which is limited by the MNCC: rubiadin 1-methyl ether, damnacanthol and pustuline were found to be markedly less cytotoxic. To the remaining AQs, we could estimate a SubTC (about 10 μg/mL) that assures 80 % cellular viability. Therefore, we determined a concentration range which could be used to evaluate the antiviral effect of each AQ since it ensures the viability of the host cell.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Impact of orange essential oil on enteric methane emissions of heifers fed bermudagrass hay

In this study, the effects of orange essential oil (OEO) on the rumen fermentation, nutrient utilization, and methane (CH₄) emissions of beef heifers fed a diet of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) were examined. In addition, in vitro and in situ experiments were conducted. The in vitro experiment consisted of three treatments: control (CTL, no OEO), OEO1 (0.25% OEO), and OEO2 (0.5% OEO). The forage to concentrate ratio was 70:30 (dry matter [DM] basis) in all treatments. No changes in pH, proportions of volatile fatty acids, and the acetate:propionate ratio were observed (P > 0.05). The addition of 0.25% OEO resulted in a reduction in CH₄ production (mL/g) relative to the control (P 0.05). In the in vivo study, six crossbred beef heifers (Bos indicus × Bos taurus), fitted with rumen cannulas, were assigned to three different treatments: no additive (CTL), 0.25% OEO (OEO1), and 0.5% OEO (OEO2) in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square (21-day periods). Heifers were fed at 2.8% body weight. In vivo CH₄ production was measured in open-circuit respiration chambers. Reductions in gross energy consumption, apparent total tract digestibility, and rumen valerate concentration were observed for OEO2 compared to the control (P < 0.05). Additionally, decreases in CH₄ emissions (g/day; P < 0.05) and CH4 (MJ gross energy intake/day; P < 0.05) were observed in response to supplementation of 0.5% OEO as compared to the CTL treatment. Thus, supplementation of 0.5% OEO reduced CH₄ emissions (g/day) by 12% without impacting the DM intake of heifers fed bermudagrass hay as a basal ration

Measurements of fiducial and differential cross sections for Higgs boson production in the diphoton decay channel at s√=8 TeV with ATLAS

Measurements of fiducial and differential cross sections are presented for Higgs boson production in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of s√=8 TeV. The analysis is performed in the H → γγ decay channel using 20.3 fb−1 of data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The signal is extracted using a fit to the diphoton invariant mass spectrum assuming that the width of the resonance is much smaller than the experimental resolution. The signal yields are corrected for the effects of detector inefficiency and resolution. The pp → H → γγ fiducial cross section is measured to be 43.2 ±9.4(stat.) − 2.9 + 3.2 (syst.) ±1.2(lumi)fb for a Higgs boson of mass 125.4GeV decaying to two isolated photons that have transverse momentum greater than 35% and 25% of the diphoton invariant mass and each with absolute pseudorapidity less than 2.37. Four additional fiducial cross sections and two cross-section limits are presented in phase space regions that test the theoretical modelling of different Higgs boson production mechanisms, or are sensitive to physics beyond the Standard Model. Differential cross sections are also presented, as a function of variables related to the diphoton kinematics and the jet activity produced in the Higgs boson events. The observed spectra are statistically limited but broadly in line with the theoretical expectations

Single hadron response measurement and calorimeter jet energy scale uncertainty with the ATLAS detector at the LHC

The uncertainty on the calorimeter energy response to jets of particles is derived for the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). First, the calorimeter response to single isolated charged hadrons is measured and compared to the Monte Carlo simulation using proton-proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of sqrt(s) = 900 GeV and 7 TeV collected during 2009 and 2010. Then, using the decay of K_s and Lambda particles, the calorimeter response to specific types of particles (positively and negatively charged pions, protons, and anti-protons) is measured and compared to the Monte Carlo predictions. Finally, the jet energy scale uncertainty is determined by propagating the response uncertainty for single charged and neutral particles to jets. The response uncertainty is 2-5% for central isolated hadrons and 1-3% for the final calorimeter jet energy scale.Comment: 24 pages plus author list (36 pages total), 23 figures, 1 table, submitted to European Physical Journal

Search for the standard model Higgs boson in the H to ZZ to 2l 2nu channel in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV

A search for the standard model Higgs boson in the H to ZZ to 2l 2nu decay channel, where l = e or mu, in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV is presented. The data were collected at the LHC, with the CMS detector, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 4.6 inverse femtobarns. No significant excess is observed above the background expectation, and upper limits are set on the Higgs boson production cross section. The presence of the standard model Higgs boson with a mass in the 270-440 GeV range is excluded at 95% confidence level.Comment: Submitted to JHE