Antibacterial Activity of Mulinum spinosum

Nasal carriers of Staphylococcus aureus are important reservoirs with risk of developing endogenous infections or transmitting infections to susceptible individuals. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) are associated with higher rates of treatment failure. Some strains of S. aureus produce slime which is believed to make the microorganisms more resistant to antibiotics and host defenses. The antibacterial activity of ethyl acetate : n-hexane (EtOAc : HEX) extracts of Mulinum spinosum (5 : 95% EtOAc : HEX, 50 : 50% EtOAc : HEX, 70 : 30% EtOAc : HEX and mix 20 : 80/30 : 70% EtOAc : HEX, 50 : 50/70 : 30/100 : 0% EtOAc : HEX) were assayed against 3 slime-producing S. aureus strains and 2 MRSA strains isolated from nasal carriers. S. aureus ATCC 35556 slime-producing strain and MRSA ATCC 43300 strain were used as controls. The extracts were prepared using flash chromatography. M. spinosum 5 : 95% AcOEt : HEX showed antibacterial effect against all slime-producing strains (MIC: 500 µg/mL) and the highest activity against MRSA strains (MIC: 500 to 1000 µg/mL). All M. spinosum extracts assayed were active against slime-producing S. aureus and MRSA at doses between 500 and 4000 µg/mL. Both, slime-producing S. aureus and MRSA are highly contagious and hardly eradicated by antibiotic therapies. So, there is an increasing need to find new substances with the ability to inhibit these strains

In vitro spermatostatic activity of mulinane- and azorellane-type diterpenes on human spermatozoa

Mulinenic acid (1), mulinolic acid (2) and azorellan- 17,13- (β) olide (3) isolated from Mulinum spinosum and Azorella trifurcata have been evaluated for their spermatostatic activity on human spermatozoa. In vitro sperm motility, viability and recovery of the motility were assessed. Compounds 2 and 3 showed significant spermatostatic properties. Reversible effects for 2 (% Motile Cells = 32 ± 3, % Living Cells = 84 ± 4) and irreversible effects for 3 (% Motile Cells = 34 ± 4, % Living Cells = 82 ± 4) were observed. Compound 1 showed moderate bioactivity. Compounds 2-3 presented remarkable effects on human sperm motility and we were encouraged to consider their application as a potential non hormonal male contraceptive agent.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Sapogenin from leaves of Amaranthus cruentus

Conocida la calidad nutricional de las hojas de Amaranthus cruentus y habiéndose detectado alta actividad hemolítica, se buscaron las sapogeninas presentes. La técnica de separación usada fue la de Peñafiel y Díaz de Villar, obteniéndose luego de purificación a través de cromatografía en columna de gel de sílice 0,47 g de ácido oleanólico (rendimiento: 22,3%). La estructura del aglicón se determinó mediante la combinación de espectroscopía IR, 1H/13C NMR y MS. La glicona detectada por comparación con una muestra auténtica (cromatografía en papel) fue ramnosa.The nutritional quality and haemolytic activity of Amarantlhus cruentus leaves is well-known. Sapogenins present in these leaves were identified by the separation technique of Penafiel and Díaz de Villar. After purification by silica gel column chromatography 0.47 g of oleanolic acid was obtained (yield: 22.3%). The structure of oleanolic acid was determined by the combination of IR,1H/13C NMR and MS spectroscopy. The glycone moiety (rhamnose) was identified by comparison (paper chromatography) with an authentic sample.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Sapogenin from leaves of Amaranthus cruentus

Conocida la calidad nutricional de las hojas de Amaranthus cruentus y habiéndose detectado alta actividad hemolítica, se buscaron las sapogeninas presentes. La técnica de separación usada fue la de Peñafiel y Díaz de Villar, obteniéndose luego de purificación a través de cromatografía en columna de gel de sílice 0,47 g de ácido oleanólico (rendimiento: 22,3%). La estructura del aglicón se determinó mediante la combinación de espectroscopía IR, 1H/13C NMR y MS. La glicona detectada por comparación con una muestra auténtica (cromatografía en papel) fue ramnosa.The nutritional quality and haemolytic activity of Amarantlhus cruentus leaves is well-known. Sapogenins present in these leaves were identified by the separation technique of Penafiel and Díaz de Villar. After purification by silica gel column chromatography 0.47 g of oleanolic acid was obtained (yield: 22.3%). The structure of oleanolic acid was determined by the combination of IR,1H/13C NMR and MS spectroscopy. The glycone moiety (rhamnose) was identified by comparison (paper chromatography) with an authentic sample.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Diterpenes from Laennecia sophiifolia

From the aerial parts of Laennecia sophiifolia (Kunth) G.L. Nesom, a neo-clerodane and an acyclic furano diterpene were isolated, along with four known compounds, 2β-hydroxyhardwickiic acid, hawtriwaic acid, apigenin, and β-sitosterol. Their structures were established as 12-epi-bacchotricuneatin A and (2E,6E)-9-(3-furyl)-6-methyl-2-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)-nona-2,6-dienoic acid, by analysis of spectral evidence. The absolute structure of 12-epi-bacchotricuneatin A was determined by a circular dichroism spectral comparison with that of bacchotricuneatin A.Peer reviewe

Evaluación del diagnóstico integral de los parásitos intestinales: Infecciones oportunistas en pacientes ambulatorios de la Sección de Geohelmintiasis

Tradicionalmente los parásitos intestinales han sido considerados un problema de salud de la población pediátrica en los países subdesarrollados. La aparición del HIV-SIDA y los tratamientos con inmunosupresores han tenido como consecuencia la mayor ocurrencia de coccidias intestinales y/o Blastocystis sp., como agentes oportunistas que complican la salud de este tipo de enfermos, en su mayoría, adultos jóvenes. Mediante un estudio descriptivo y evaluativo de la identificación exhaustiva de parásitos intestinales en la Sección de Geohelmintiasis (SGH) del Instituto de Medicina Tropical, se evaluaron, durante dos años (2013-2014), 407 pacientes para el descarte de agentes infecciosos. Por solicitud del médico referente, se aplicaron técnicas de coloración especiales y de concentración (Zielh-Neelsen modificado y Formol-Acetato de Etilo). A todos los pacientes, se les realizó el interrogatorio por medio de una ficha clínico-epidemiológica. El principal motivo de consulta fue la investigación parasitaria por sospecha clínica, seguido de causas debidas a inmunosupresión. Blastocystis sp., se identificó como el principal parásito oportunista, tanto en inmunosuprimidos como en inmunocompetentes. Las coccidias intestinales, ocupan el segundo lugar, seguido de los helmintos y de los protozoarios. Las coccidias intestinales se encontraron con mayor frecuencia en el grupo de 26 a 50 años, coincidencialmente el 90 % de éstos pacientes son HIV positivos y el 54% están infectados con coccidias. La eosinofilia, cuantificada por el valor del contaje absoluto de eosinófilos se correlacionó con la presencia de coccidias intestinales. Se concluye con la recomendación de evaluar periódicamente la presencia de estos parásitos en las muestras procesadas en la SGH, como laboratorio de referencia nacional. TitleEvaluation of the integral diagnosis of intestinal parasites: Opportunists infections in outpatients of the Soil Transmitted Helminth SectionAbstract Traditionally, intestinal parasites have been considered a health problem in the pediatric population of underdeveloped countries. The onset of HIV-AIDS and immunosuppressive treatments have resulted in the increased occurrence of intestinal coccidia and/or Blastocystis sp., as opportunistic agents that complicates the health of this type of patients, mostly young adults. Through a descriptive and evaluative study of the exhaustive identification of intestinal parasites, the Soil Transmitted Helminth Section (STHS) of the Institute of Tropical Medicine, evaluated 407 patients for the study of infectious agents for two years (2013-2014). At the request of the medical consultant, special staining and concentration techniques were applied (Ziehl-Neelsen modified and Formalin-Ethyl Acetate). All patients were interviewed by a clinical-epidemiological record. The main complaint was the parasitic research on clinical suspicion, followed by causes of immunosuppression. Immunosuppressed patients had prominent place with opportunistic intestinal parasites. Blastocystis sp., was identified as the main opportunistic parasite in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent. The intestinal coccidia, ranked second, followed by helminths and protozoa. The intestinal coccidia were found more frequently in the group of 26-50 years, coincidentally 90% of these patients are HIV positive and 54% are infected with coccidia. Eosinophilia, quantified by the absolute value of eosinophil counts correlate with the presence of intestinal coccidia. We conclude with the recommendation to periodically evaluate the presence of these parasites in the samples processed by the STHS, as the national reference laboratory

Les sciences ­humaines et ­sociales en ­Amérique latine, XXe siècle

Ce dossier de la Revue d’histoire des sciences humaines a pour objectif d’explorer la constitution et le développement historiques des sciences sociales et humaines en Amérique latine au xxe siècle. Les six articles rassemblés ici abordent les processus de construction et d’institutionnalisation de ces disciplines à différentes périodes et dans différents espaces, marqués, entre autres, par des traditions académiques nationales et des contextes politiques et idéologiques particuliers. Les analyses accordent une attention particulière aux acteurs, à leurs pratiques et à leurs stratégies, aux structures, aux politiques et aux systèmes nationaux d’organisation universitaire ou para-universitaire, aux réseaux et aux institutions transnationaux, aux échanges et aux connexions entre les espaces latino-américains et les autres régions du monde, aux programmes de coopération et de financement internationaux et à leur influence sur les orientations de la production intellectuelle. Ces études de cas éclairent dès lors les débats théoriques, que ce soit au sein de champs disciplinaires spécifiques ou transversaux à l’ensemble des sciences humaines et sociales, aussi bien à l’échelle locale que continentale. This dossier of the Revue d'histoire des sciences humaines aims to contribute to exploring the historical constitution and development of the social sciences and humanities in Latin America in the 20th century. The six articles gathered here address the processes of construction and institutionalization of these disciplines in different periods and spaces, marked, among other things, by national academic traditions and particular political and ideological contexts. The analyses pay special attention to the actors, their practices and strategies, to national structures, policies, and systems of academic organization, to transnational networks and institutions, to exchanges and connections between Latin American spaces and other regions of the world, to international cooperation and funding programs and their influence on the orientations of intellectual production. In this way, this series of case studies also shed light on local as well as continent-wide theoretical debates and their transformations