New 3,4-seco ent-kaurenes from Croton caracasana flowers

Two new 3,4-seco- ent-kaurenes, caracasine (1) and caracasine acid (2), were isolated from non-polar extracts of the flowers of Croton caracasana (Euphorbiaceae), together with six known terpenes, stigmasterol (4), stigmastenone (5), 2,6-dimethylocta-3,7-diene-2, 6-diol (6), spathulenol (7), caryophyllene oxide (8), and aromadendrene (9), and the flavonoid tribuloside (10). The chemical structures were determined by spectroscopic means and chemical correlations. All isolated compounds are being described for the first time for this species

Hypothyroidism attenuates protein tyrosine nitration, oxidative stress and renal damage induced by ischemia and reperfusion: effect unrelated to antioxidant enzymes activities

BACKGROUND: It has been established that hypothyroidism protects rats against renal ischemia and reperfusion (IR) oxidative damage. However, it is not clear if hypothyroidism is able to prevent protein tyrosine nitration, an index of nitrosative stress, induced by IR or if antioxidant enzymes have involved in this protective effect. In this work it was explored if hypothyroidism is able to prevent the increase in nitrosative and oxidative stress induced by IR. In addition the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase was studied. Control and thyroidectomized (HTX) rats were studied 24 h of reperfusion after 60 min ischemia. METHODS: Male Wistar rats weighing 380 ± 22 g were subjected to surgical thyroidectomy. Rats were studied 15 days after surgery. Euthyroid sham-operated rats were used as controls (CT). Both groups of rats underwent a right kidney nephrectomy and suffered a 60 min left renal ischemia with 24 h of reperfusion. Rats were divided in four groups: CT, HTX, IR and HTX+IR. Rats were sacrificed and samples of plasma and kidney were obtained. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine were measured in blood plasma. Kidney damage was evaluated by histological analysis. Oxidative stress was measured by immunohistochemical localization of protein carbonyls and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal modified proteins. The protein carbonyl content was measured using antibodies against dinitrophenol (DNP)-modified proteins. Nitrosative stress was measured by immunohistochemical analysis of 3-nitrotyrosine modified proteins. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase was measured by spectrophotometric methods. Multiple comparisons were performed with ANOVA followed by Bonferroni t test. RESULTS: The histological damage and the rise in plasma creatinine and BUN induced by IR were significantly lower in HTX+IR group. The increase in protein carbonyls and in 3-nitrotyrosine and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal modified proteins was prevented in HTX+IR group. IR-induced decrease in renal antioxidant enzymes was essentially not prevented by HTX in HTX+IR group. CONCLUSION: Hypothyroidism was able to prevent not only oxidative but also nitrosative stress induced by IR. In addition, the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase seem not to play a protective role in this experimental model

The Synoptic All-Sky Infrared (SASIR) Survey

We are proposing to conduct a multicolor, synoptic infrared (IR) imaging survey of the Northern sky with a new, dedicated 6.5-meter telescope at San Pedro M\'artir (SPM) Observatory. This initiative is being developed in partnership with astronomy institutions in Mexico and the University of California. The 4-year, dedicated survey, planned to begin in 2017, will reach more than 100 times deeper than 2MASS. The Synoptic All-Sky Infrared (SASIR) Survey will reveal the missing sample of faint red dwarf stars in the local solar neighborhood, and the unprecedented sensitivity over such a wide field will result in the discovery of thousands of z ~ 7 quasars (and reaching to z > 10), allowing detailed study (in concert with JWST and Giant Segmented Mirror Telescopes) of the timing and the origin(s) of reionization. As a time-domain survey, SASIR will reveal the dynamic infrared universe, opening new phase space for discovery. Synoptic observations of over 10^6 supernovae and variable stars will provide better distance measures than optical studies alone. SASIR also provides significant synergy with other major Astro2010 facilities, improving the overall scientific return of community investments. Compared to optical-only measurements, IR colors vastly improve photometric redshifts to z ~ 4, enhancing dark energy and dark matter surveys based on weak lensing and baryon oscillations. The wide field and ToO capabilities will enable a connection of the gravitational wave and neutrino universe - with events otherwise poorly localized on the sky - to transient electromagnetic phenomena.Comment: Revised version of submitted whitepaper to the "Optical and IR Astronomy from the Ground" Program Prioritization Panel of the Astro2010 Decadal Survey; 23 page

Sleep matters: Neurodegeneration spectrum heterogeneity, combustion and friction ultrafine particles, industrial nanoparticle pollution, and sleep disorders—Denial is not an option

Sustained exposures to ubiquitous outdoor/indoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5), including combustion and friction ultrafine PM (UFPM) and industrial nanoparticles (NPs) starting in utero, are linked to early pediatric and young adulthood aberrant neural protein accumulation, including hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau), beta-amyloid (Aβ1 − 42), α-synuclein (α syn) and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), hallmarks of Alzheimer's (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). UFPM from anthropogenic and natural sources and NPs enter the brain through the nasal/olfactory pathway, lung, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, skin, and placental barriers. On a global scale, the most important sources of outdoor UFPM are motor traffic emissions. This study focuses on the neuropathology heterogeneity and overlap of AD, PD, FTLD, and ALS in older adults, their similarities with the neuropathology of young, highly exposed urbanites, and their strong link with sleep disorders. Critical information includes how this UFPM and NPs cross all biological barriers, interact with brain soluble proteins and key organelles, and result in the oxidative, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondrial stress, neuroinflammation, DNA damage, protein aggregation and misfolding, and faulty complex protein quality control. The brain toxicity of UFPM and NPs makes them powerful candidates for early development and progression of fatal common neurodegenerative diseases, all having sleep disturbances. A detailed residential history, proximity to high-traffic roads, occupational histories, exposures to high-emission sources (i.e., factories, burning pits, forest fires, and airports), indoor PM sources (tobacco, wood burning in winter, cooking fumes, and microplastics in house dust), and consumption of industrial NPs, along with neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric histories, are critical. Environmental pollution is a ubiquitous, early, and cumulative risk factor for neurodegeneration and sleep disorders. Prevention of deadly neurological diseases associated with air pollution should be a public health priority

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Promoción de literatura infantil en línea

Analizamos las prácticas de promoción de literatura infantil de una niña booktuber de la ciudad de Cali, Colombia, desarrolladas a través del canal de YouTube y de las redes sociales de la comunidad “AventurArte con Manu”. Se usa una metodología de sistematización de experiencias, en la que se lleva a cabo una fase reconstructiva de la práctica desde el relato de sus participantes, así como un análisis interpretativo para derivar conocimiento de la misma a partir de su diálogo con la perspectiva teórica de los Nuevos Estudios de Literacidad. El análisis incluye cuatro aspectos: los roles y formas de interacción de los participantes, los escenarios y ámbitos de actuación de las prácticas, las actividades asociadas a la promoción de literatura infantil y las plataformas y textos involucrados. Las prácticas de la booktuber infantil Manu muestran el potencial de los medios digitales para la animación y la promoción de la lectura, en este caso, desde una apuesta que integra la familia, las bibliotecas públicas y otros escenarios locales con canales de difusión masiva y de interacción en línea

Administrador de agenda

Manejador de agenda, el cual permite a un usuario planificar sus actividades diarias. Este tipo de agenda puede ser unipersonal o compartida, permitiendo a más de un usuario, además del propietario de la agenda, poder ver las actividades de éste, o si tiene atribuciones para hacerlo, poder ingresar actividades adicionales a las ya existentes. Esta agenda se basa en el esquema cliente-servidor, donde el programa servidor que está en una computadora con sistema operativo Unix, interactúa con el programa cliente, el cual se encuentra en un PC y que funciona bajo Windows. La conexión entre estas dos máquinas se logra gracias al protocolo de transporte TCP/IP que debe ser soportada por ambos sistemas.GuayaquilIngeniero en Computació

Respuesta de crecimiento y ionómica de Sedum praealtum A. DC. por la acción sinérgica del ácido indol butírico y una rizobacteria en la fitoextracción asistida de arsénico y cadmio

Resumen: La fitoextracción asistida implica la participación de especies vegetales y agentes suplementarios (aditivos químicos o biológicos) que incrementan la biodisponibilidad de los contaminantes y su acumulación; que en conjunto con el manejo de biomarcadores ionómicos, no solo analiza la susceptibilidad de las plantas a un estrés particular; sino también complementa la evaluación de la absorción y movilización de los elementos en ellas. El presente trabajo evaluó la acción sinérgica de la rizobacteria Pseudomonas sp. C2 y el ácido indol butírico en la fitoextracción asistida de arsénico y cadmio; a través del análisis de las respuestas de crecimiento y ionómicas de Sedum praealtum A. DC. Los perfiles ionómicos obtenidos como respuesta de la adición exógena de As y Cd, sugieren que las raíces de esta especie constituyen una barrera importante en la acumulación de estos y su relación sinérgica entre As con Mo, Cu, Fe y Zn; con la clara evidencia de que la adición de ambos agentes suplementarios, promovieron el crecimiento radical y la fitoextracción asistida.Abstract: Assisted phytoextraction involves the plant species and supplementary agents (chemical or biological amendments) participation to increase the contaminant bioavailability and accumulation and with the employ of ionomic biomarkers management; not only analyze the analysis of plants susceptibility to particular stress; it also achieves the evaluation of the absorption and mobilization of elements inside them. The present work evaluates the synergistic action between Pseudomonas sp. C2 and indole butyric acid in the assisted phytoextraction of As and Cd, by the growth and ionomic responses of Sedum praealtum A. DC. Ionomic profiles obtained as response of exogenous addition of As and Cd; suggest that roots of this plant species constitutes an important barrier to their accumulation and the synergistic relationship between As with Mo, Cu, Fe and Zn; showing a clear evidence that both supplementary agents promoted the grown of roots and the assisted phytoextraction