Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori growth by an Asteraceae family plant methanol extract.

Helicobacter pylori is a spiral Gram-negative bacterium associated with inflammation of the gastric mucosa, peptic ulcer, and gastric adenocarcinoma; it is one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. Treatment prescribed to patients with gastric ulcer has failed in many cases mainly due to antibiotic resistance and important side effects such as taste disturbances, vaginal candidiasis, and pseudomembranous colitis. Interest in botanical medicine is increasing as a viable alternative to the traditional one. Plant leaves of the Asteraceae family are used to treat diarrhea, ulcers and rheumatism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of aqueous and methanolic extracts from plants of the Asteraceae family against H. pylori growth in vitro, using the colorimetric tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay. We observed that methanolic extracts from plants of the Asteraceae family showed up to 82% H. pylori growth inhibition (MIC at 500 µg/mL).The results of the present study contribute to the body of knowledge of medicinal plants with antimicrobial potential, particularly against H. pylori

Seasonal forests and ecotone areas in the state of Tocantins, Brazil : structure, classification and guidelines for conservation

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a riqueza, estrutura e diversidade de espécies arbóreas em áreas de Floresta Estacional e ecótono (Floresta Estacional/Floresta Ombrófila) no estado do Tocantins, buscando subsídios para a conservação, manejo florestal, compensação de reserva legal e recuperação ambiental, além de discutir as identidades fitogeográficas em comparação com outras florestas do Brasil. Em 18 bacias hidrográficas, conduziu-se amostragem da vegetação arbórea (DAP > 5 cm) de 22 áreas (amostras) por meio do inventário de 477 parcelas de 400 m². Foram elaboradas análises de classificação pelo método TWINSPAN, em duas escalas distintas. A primeira avaliou a diversidade beta entre as parcelas amostradas no estado do Tocantins e a segunda buscou analisar a similaridade das florestas do Tocantins em relação a outras florestas do bioma Cerrado e suas áreas de tensão ecológica. As florestas amostradas apresentaram ampla variação em termos de riqueza (33 a 243 espécies), densidade (486 a 1.179 ind.ha-1), área basal (14,04 e 37,49 m².ha-1), índices de diversidade (H´ = 2,75 a 4,59) e de equabilidade (J´= 0,72 a 0,86). As análises de classificação convergiram para resultados comuns, identificando quatro ambientes dissimilares em termos florísticos e estruturais no estado do Tocantins: Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, ecótono Floresta Estacional Semidecidual/Floresta Ombrófila e ecótono Floresta Estacional Decidual/Floresta Ombrófila. A fim de manter a diversidade de plantas e de ambientes na região de transição Floresta Amazônica e Cerrado, sugere-se que o processo de criação de unidades de conservação no estado do Tocantins deva ser intensificado e tenha como base para seleção das áreas critérios biogeográficos.The purpose of this study was to describe the richness, structure and diversity of tree species occurring in seasonally dry forests and some ecotone areas (Seasonal Forest/Ombrophilous Forest) in the state of Tocantins (Brazil). We aimed to provide information for conservation, management, environmental compensation and restoration strategies, and discuss their phytogeography identities in relation to other Brazilian forests. We selected 22 areas in 18 hydrogeographic basins and performed an inventory of all trees species (DHB > 5 cm) occurring in 477 plots of 400 m². We conducted a classification analysis of the vegetation using the TWINSPAN method in two different scales. The first assessed the beta diversity among plots within the state of Tocantins, and the second analysed similarities between these forests and other forests ecosystems in the Cerrado ecoregion and related ecotones in Central Brazil. A wide variation of species richness (33 to 243 species), density (486 to 1179 trees.ha-1), basal area (14.04 to 37.49 m². ha-1), diversity indexes (H’ = 2.75 to 4.59) and evenness (J’ = 0.72 to 0.86) across the sites was found. Based on floristic and structural aspects, classification analyses identified four major forests types: Seasonal Deciduous Forest, Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forest, and two ecotones Seasonal Semideciduous Forest/Ombrophilous Forest and ecotone Seasonal Deciduous Forest / Ombrophilous Forest. In order to maintain plant and habitat diversity in the Amazon/Cerrado transition zone, the creation of conservation areas should be intensified using biogeographical patterns as site selection criteria

Mapas escalares de un convertidor elevador en modo corriente

"En esta contribución se analiza una clase de mapa escalar obtenido a partir de las formas de onda del convertidor elevador controlado en modo corriente pico sin rampa estabilizadora. Se establecen condiciones necesarias y suficientes para caracterizar el comportamiento estable y periódico del ciclo de trabajo. Las propiedades geométricas de los mapas escalares son ilustradas con mapas iterativos.

PROCESSING SPEED DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SCHIZOPHRENIA AND SCHIZOAFFECTIVE DISORDER: A PILOT STUDY

We aimed to compare processing speed (PS) and its subcomponents in schizophrenia (SC) and schizoaffective disorder (SA). Thirty-five patients were divided into two groups (SC=18; SA=17). PS tasks from the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery Central/South America version were used. Additional PS subcomponents were analyzed (i.e., behavioral execution, response processing, and accuracy). SA obtained significant higher scores than SC in response processing, verbal fluency and the PS general domain. Our results indicate that PS is a potential cognitive marker to differentiate between SC and SA. Further research with larger samples must be conducted

Bioactive Products From Plant-Endophytic Gram-Positive Bacteria

Endophytes constitute plant-colonizing microorganisms in a mutualistic symbiosis relationship. They are found in most ecosystems reducing plant crops’ biotic and abiotic stressors by stimulating immune responses, excluding plant pathogens by niche competition, and participating in antioxidant activities and phenylpropanoid metabolism, whose activation produces plant defense, structural support, and survival molecules. In fact, metabolomic studies have demonstrated that endophyte genes associated to specific metabolites are involved in plant growth promotion (PGP) by stimulating plant hormones production such as auxins and gibberellins or as plant protective agents against microbial pathogens, cancer, and insect pests, but eco-friendly and eco-safe. A number of metabolites of Gram-positive endophytes isolated from agriculture, forest, mangrove, and medicinal plants, mainly related to the Firmicutes phyla, possess distinctive biocontrol and plant growth-promoting activities. In general, Actinobacteria and Bacillus endophytes produce aromatic compounds, lipopeptides, plant hormones, polysaccharides, and several enzymes linked to phenylpropanoid metabolism, thus representing high potential for PGP and crop management strategies. Furthermore, Actinobacteria have been shown to produce metabolites with antimicrobial and antitumor activities, useful in agriculture, medicine, and veterinary areas. The great endophytes diversity, their metabolites production, and their adaptation to stress conditions make them a suitable and unlimited source of novel metabolites, whose application could reduce agrochemicals usage in food and drugs production

Quantification of glycated hemoglobin and glucose in vivo using Raman spectroscopy and artificial neural networks

Undiagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains a major public health concern. The global estimation of undiagnosed diabetes is about 46%, being this situation more critical in developing countries. Therefore, we proposed a non-invasive method to quantify glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and glucose in vivo. We developed a technique based on Raman spectroscopy, RReliefF as a feature selection method, and regression based on feed-forward artificial neural networks (FFNN). The spectra were obtained from the forearm, wrist, and index finger of 46 individuals. The use of FFNN allowed us to achieve an error in the predictive model of 0.69% for HbA1c and 30.12 mg/dL for glucose. Patients were classified according to HbA1c values into three categories: healthy, prediabetes, and T2D. The proposed method obtained a specificity and sensitivity of 87.50% and 80.77%, respectively. This work demonstrates the benefit of using artificial neural networks and feature selection techniques to enhance Raman spectra processing to determine glycated hemoglobin and glucose in patients with undiagnosed T2D

Comportamiento de variedades precoces de maíz en la región semiárida y árida del centro-norte de México

Twenty early corn (Zea mays L.) varieties were evaluated under the rainfed conditions prevailing in the northern highland region of México (250-500 mm of rain, 60 to 100 d of growing season, and mean temperature from 16 to 21°C), and at Etla, Oax. with similar environmental conditions (645 mm of rain in 80 to 100 d, and mean temperature of 20.6 °C). The study was carried out from 1997 to 1999. A randomized complete blok design with four replications was used for all locations. The corn yield was analyzed by combinig years and varieties, and localions and varieties. The combination of years, localitions and varieties was not evaluated because of the variable number of traits through years and locations. The late varieties were more productive in locations with higher precipitation and longer growing season. Intermediate and early varieties over yielded the late varieties when growing under deficient rainfed conditions. The mean yield of landraces varieties used as controls, was higher than most of the other varieties, thus suggesting a delailed evaluation of these landraces taking into account traits such as plant sanity and uniformity, and yield potential.Se evaluaron en temporal o secano 20 variedades precoces de maíz (Zea mays L.) durante los años 1997-1999, en cinco localidades de la región templada semiárida y árida del centro norte de México (250–500 mm de precipitación en 60-100 d; temperatura media 16- 21 ºC) y en Etla, Oax. (645 mm de precipitación en 80-100 d; temperatura media 20.6 °C). Se usó un diseño experimental de bloques completos al azar con cuatro repeticiones, y se registró el rendimiento de grano al que se hicieron análisis de varianza al combinar años con variedades, y localidades con variedades. Se consideró inconveniente el análisis combinado de años, localidades y variedades, debido a que hubo diferente número de observaciones de las variedades en localidades y años. Las variedades más tardías mostraron mayor rendimiento en los ambientes con mayor precipitación y ciclo de cultivo; las de ciclo intermedio y algunas precoces mostraron mayor rendimiento que las tardías en los ambientes con condiciones ecológicas intermedias o deficientes. El rendimiento medio de los maíces criollos usados como testigos fue de los más altos, por lo que se sugiere evaluarlos en sanidad y uniformidad, y rendimiento potencial

Comportamiento de variedades precoces de maíz en la región semiárida y árida del centro-norte de México

Twenty early corn (Zea mays L.) varieties were evaluated under the rainfed conditions prevailing in the northern highland region of México (250-500 mm of rain, 60 to 100 d of growing season, and mean temperature from 16 to 21°C), and at Etla, Oax. with similar environmental conditions (645 mm of rain in 80 to 100 d, and mean temperature of 20.6 °C). The study was carried out from 1997 to 1999. A randomized complete blok design with four replications was used for all locations. The corn yield was analyzed by combinig years and varieties, and localions and varieties. The combination of years, localitions and varieties was not evaluated because of the variable number of traits through years and locations. The late varieties were more productive in locations with higher precipitation and longer growing season. Intermediate and early varieties over yielded the late varieties when growing under deficient rainfed conditions. The mean yield of landraces varieties used as controls, was higher than most of the other varieties, thus suggesting a delailed evaluation of these landraces taking into account traits such as plant sanity and uniformity, and yield potential.Se evaluaron en temporal o secano 20 variedades precoces de maíz (Zea mays L.) durante los años 1997-1999, en cinco localidades de la región templada semiárida y árida del centro norte de México (250–500 mm de precipitación en 60-100 d; temperatura media 16- 21 ºC) y en Etla, Oax. (645 mm de precipitación en 80-100 d; temperatura media 20.6 °C). Se usó un diseño experimental de bloques completos al azar con cuatro repeticiones, y se registró el rendimiento de grano al que se hicieron análisis de varianza al combinar años con variedades, y localidades con variedades. Se consideró inconveniente el análisis combinado de años, localidades y variedades, debido a que hubo diferente número de observaciones de las variedades en localidades y años. Las variedades más tardías mostraron mayor rendimiento en los ambientes con mayor precipitación y ciclo de cultivo; las de ciclo intermedio y algunas precoces mostraron mayor rendimiento que las tardías en los ambientes con condiciones ecológicas intermedias o deficientes. El rendimiento medio de los maíces criollos usados como testigos fue de los más altos, por lo que se sugiere evaluarlos en sanidad y uniformidad, y rendimiento potencial

EXPRESSION OF HIV TYPE 1 GLYCOPROTEIN 120 FROM A MEXICAN AIDS PATIENT IN A BACULOVIRUS SYSTEM

El objetivo principal del presente estudio fue la implementación de un sistema vector de expresión en baculovirus en células de insecto (IC-BECS), para la expresión de la proteína recombinante gp120 del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). Para esto, se aislaron secuencias de la proteína gp120 de una paciente mexicano con SIDA, y del plásmido de referencia HXB2, los cualesse clonaron en forma independiente en el plásmido pFastBac1. Posteriormente, se utilizaron estos plásmidos para transformar E. coli DH10Bac conteniendo el bacmido bMON14272 del baculovirus AcMNPV, para luego inducir una transposición sitio dirigida para transferir el genoma de gp120 del VIH al bacmido del baculovirus. Se detectó el baculovirus recombinante de Bac-69-1 (paciente) yel plásmido de referencia Bac-HX-4, utilizando la técnica de PCR y la fenotipificación de colonias. Después se encapsuló el genoma desnudo baculoviral en liposomas para su transfección al cultivo de células de insecto Sf9. Se utilizaron, además, análisis de Western blot (que se revelaron por quimioluminiscencia e hidrólisis de peróxido de hidrógeno) para laidentificación de la expresión de la proteína gp120. Los resultados obtenidos demostraron la generación de dos baculovirus recombinantes que expresaron la gp120 del paciente mexicano de SIDA o el plásmido de referencia. Se discute el potencial de utilizar a los baculovirus recombinantes de gp120 como vacunas del VIH en México.Palabras claves: VIH, gp120, SIDA, pacientes Mexicanos, baculovirus, cultivo de células de insecto.HIV, gp120, AIDS, Mexican patient, baculovirus, insect cell culture.Resume