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Derivatives of 3,9-dimethoxypterocarpan (1, homopterocarpin) were prepared by nitration, amination, and oxidation reactions, among others, and their antifungal activity was evaluated against the phytopathogenic fungi Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and C. lindemuthianum. Derivatives were purified by chromatographic techniques and identified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Eight derivatives were obtained from 1 corresponding to 3,9-dimethoxy-8-nitropterocarpan (2), 3,9-dimethoxy-2,8-dinitropterocarpan (3), 3,9-dimethoxy-2,8,10-trinitropterocarpan (4), 2,8-diamino-3,9-dimethoxypterocarpan (5), 3,9-dimethylcoumestan (6), medicarpin (7), 2′-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxyethylsulfanyl)-7,4′-dimethoxyisoflavan (8), and 4-(2-hydroxyethylsulfanyl)-7,2′,4′-trimethoxyisoflavan (9). The in vitro antifungal activity of the derivatives was determined at concentrations between 35 and 704 μM. Compounds 7 and 8 at 704 μM, showed an inhibition of radial growth and spore germination close to 100%, exceeding that found for the starting compound 1, which was 46%. Growth inhibition assays were also performed for the derivative 8 on papaya fruits (Carica papaya L. cv. Hawaiana) and mango (Mangifera indica L. cv. Hilacha) infected with C. gloeosporioides. Compound 8 showed fungal growth inhibition in fruits higher than that found for 1 and thymol (a recognized natural antifungal), under the same conditions. In general, derivatives that exhibited greater antifungal activity correspond to the compounds containing hydroxyl groups in the structure. Some of the compounds obtained could be considered promising for the control of phytopathogenic fungi.

Leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, and malaria are a group of neglected tropical diseases present in tropical regions and they affect large numbers of people in developing countries. A series of thirteen coumaro-chalcones (A1-A13) were synthesized under solvent-free conditions and their in vitro anti-leishmanial, anti-plasmodial, anti-trypanosomal and cytotoxic activities were evaluated. One of these coumaro-chalcones, 3-[(2E)-3-(3-ethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]-2H-chromen-2-one (A12), is a new compound. Compounds 3-[(2E)-3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]-2H-chromen-2-one (A5), 3-[(2E)-3-(3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]-2H-chromen-2-one (A2) and 3-[(2E)-3-phenylprop-2-enoyl]-2H-chromen-2-one (A1) displayed strong inhibition against intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania panamensis with EC50 of 2.1 ± 0.1, 2.5 ± 0.2 and 3.7 ± 0.5 μM, respectively. In addition, Plasmodium falciparum was moderately inhibited by the coumarin-chalcone hybrids, particularly A12 (EC50: 15.0 ± 0.5 μM) and 3-[(2E)-3-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)prop-2-enoyl]-2H-chromen-2-one (A13) (EC50: 15.2 ± 1.1 μM). Remarkably, the coumaro-chalcone A5 (EC50: 18.7 ± 2.4 μM) exhibited an inhibition of the Trypanosoma cruzi intracellular amastigotes similar to the commercial drug Benznidazole (EC50: 14.5 ± 0.1 μM). These results support the therapeutic potential of coumaro-chalcone hybrids.

Isoflavonoid phytoalexins (isoflavones: genistein, 2′-hydroxygenistein, and daidzein; isoflavanones: dalbergioidin and kievitone; coumestrol; pterocarpans: phaseollidin and phaseollin; and the isoflavan: phaseollinisoflavan) production in response to the application of eleven 1-oxo-indane-4-carboxylic acid derivatives (indanoyl esters and indanoyl amino acids conjugates), in cotyledons and hypocotyl/root of two common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars was evaluated. The content of isoflavonoids depended on the cultivar, the treated tissue, the time after induction, the structure and concentration of the elicitor. The highest isoflavonoid contents were found when 1-oxo-indanoyl-amino acids conjugates were used as elicitors. Cotyledons and hypocotyl/root of the anthracnose-resistant cultivar produced significantly higher isoflavonoid contents as compared to the susceptible one. Maximum levels of phaseollin were obtained using 0.66 mM 1-oxo-indanoyl-l-isoleucyl methyl ester and between 72 and 96 h post-induction. So, 1-oxo-indane-4-carboxylic acid derivatives, may be used to enhance the amount of isoflavonoid phytoalexins in common bean and protect crops from phytopathogenic microorganisms.

Metabolism and in vitro fungitoxicity of perinaphthenone against three economically important fungi of the citrus, Botryodiplodia spp., Botrytis spp. and Fusarium spp. were investigated. Perinaphthenone exhibited significant antifungal activity at 62.5 μM and above. Even, the inhibitory effect against Fusarium spp. was significantly enhanced by exposure to direct light. In addition, the metabolism of perinaphthenone by the three fungi was studied. Results show that perinaphthenone was transformed almost completely during the first 24 h; two major products, whose concentration increased progressively during the twelve days of the test, were isolated and identified as 2,3-dihydro-1H-phenalen-1-ol and 2,3-dihydro-phenalen-1-one. Although both metabolic products displayed a considerable fungistatic effect, their slightly lower activities in comparison to perinaphthenone indicate that the transformation was a detoxification process. Studies on the relationship between the effect of some substituents in the perinaphthenone core and the mycelial growth inhibition of Botryodiplodia spp. were also carried out. Results show that the α, β-unsaturated carbonyl system is an important structural requirement but not the only to be necessary for the strong antifungal activity of perinaphthenone. In general, the antifungal properties of perinaphthenone may be modulated through the incorporation of substituents in the naphthalene core or in the α, β-unsaturated carbonyl system. It is concluded that perinaphthenone could be used as an antifungal agent or as a structural template for the development of new fungicide compounds.

Anthracnose, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. & Sacc., is the most limiting fungal disease of mango and papaya crops in Colombia. The in vivo and in vitro activity against C. gloeosporioides of the extracts from sawdust of Brosimum rubescens Taub. (Moraceae) was evaluated. The extracts of less polarity (n-hexane and dichloromethane) displayed the greatest inhibitory effects. Then, the coumarins xanthyletin (2.74 % d.w.) and 7-demethylsuberosin (2.19 % d.w.) were isolated from these extracts. The compound 7-demethylsuberosin displayed a strong in vivo and in vitro antifungal activity. Furthermore, the metabolism of 7-demethylsuberosin by the fungus C. gloeosporioides was analyzed. The fungus slowly detoxified 7-demethylsuberosin to marmesin and decursinol. Therefore, the high antifungal activity and low level of detoxification make 7-demethylsuberosin, and the extracts that contain it, promising candidates for controlling C. gloeosporioides. Sawdust of B. rubescens may be considered a valuable source of extracts and coumarins with antifungal activity. Keywords: B. rubescens, Moraceae, 7-Demethylsuberosin, Fungistatic action, Metabolism

The present work analyses the chromatographic profile of the peels from fruits of different citrus cultivated in Colombia: sweet orange (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck var. Valencia), mandarins (Citrus reticulata L. var. Arrayana and Oneco), Key lime (Citrus aurantifolia [Christ.] Swingle var. Pajarito), Mandarine lime (Citrus x limonia, a hybrid between Citrus reticulata and Citrus x limon) and Tahitian lime (C. latifolia Tanaka, syn. Persian lime). Coumarins, furanocoumarins and polymethoxylated flavones are the major compounds. Then, six coumarins were isolated and identified from fruits of Tahitian and Key lime corresponding to 5-geranyloxy-7-methoxycoumarin; 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin (syn. limettin); 5,8-dimethoxypsoralen (syn. isopimpinellin); 5-methoxypsoralen (syn. bergaptene); 5-geranoxypsoralen (syn. bergamottin) and 5-(2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylbutoxy) psoralen (syn. oxypeucedanin hydrate). Coumarins and furanocoumarins were quantified by liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD). Results show that the prenylated compounds were present in high concentrations in Tahitian and Key lime but in very low amounts in mandarins and sweet orange. Subsequently, the antifungal activity (inhibition of mycelial growth and germination of spores) of the coumarins against the fungus causing the anthracnose, Colletotrichum sp. (isolated from aerial parts of Tahitian lime) was determined. The compounds limettin and bergaptene, as well as mixtures of them, showed significant inhibitory effect (radial growth and spore germination) when compared to the control. Finally, the effect of some recognized elicitors to induce the coumarin production in fruits of C. latifolia was evaluated. The results showed that the chemical profiles are dependent on the applied elicitor and the post-induction time. As a result of the induction, a high concentration of some coumarins and furanocoumarins was maintained in the course of time for the Tahitian lime. In conclusion, isolated coumarins could be involved in the defense mechanisms of C. latifolia, C. aurantifolia and C. limonia and their accumulation may be modulated by the application of elicitors.

Objetivo: Comprobar la eficacia de un programa para la mejora de la adherencia en pacientes hipertensos de reciente diagnóstico. Diseño: Estudio cuasi-experimental. Emplazamiento: Cuatro Centros de Atención Primaria de la provincia de Almería. Participantes: Ciento veinte sujetos entre 18 y 65 años que habían sido diagnosticados como hipertensos en un periodo inferior a 12 meses. Mediciones principales: Los participantes fueron divididos en tres grupos: grupo de intervención A que recibió una instrucción educativa, grupo de intervención B que recibió la instrucción educativa y un procedimiento de feedback; y grupo control C que recibió el tratamiento habitual. La adherencia se determinó en función del estilo de vida (patrones de alimentación, actividad física, tabaco, alcohol) y tratamiento farmacológico. Resultados: En el caso de la alimentación y actividad física, tras la intervención se observaron diferencias significativas entre los grupos de actuación (p

Berry consumption is increasing worldwide due to their high content of bioactive compounds. However, such fruits have a very short shelf life. To avoid this drawback and to offer an effective alternative for its consumption at any time of the year, an agglomerated berry powder mix (APB) was developed. The aim of this work was to evaluate the stability of APB during a 6-months-period storage at 3 temperatures. The stability of APB was determined by moisture, aw, antioxidant activity, total phenolics, total anthocyanins, vitamin C, color, phenolic profiles, and MTT assay. APB showed differences in antioxidant activity between 0 and 6 months. It experimented non-enzymatic browning, which was more remarkable at 35 °C. APB at time 0 exhibited growth inhibitory effects against HT-29 human cancer cells. Most properties were significantly modified by storage temperature and time, which induces a significant decreasing of bioactive compounds.

As for 2020 only two complete genomes of Human papillomavirus type 13 (HPV13) are publicly available in GenBank database. In addition, reports of partial sequences of genetic regions are very limited. Therefore, genomic research that contributes to knowledge of viral components involved in HPV13 pathogenesis, and molecular mechanisms associated to multifocal epithelial hyperplasia (MEH) disease are urged. In the accompanying paper [1], we aimed to obtain the complete genome sequence of HPV13 associated to MEH disease, obtained from a Mayan boy living in Yucatan, Mexico. Coding sequences were annotated, and viral proteins traduced and deposited in GenBank with accession number MT068446. In this data report, we present the oligonucleotide list used to amplify the complete genome, a graphical abstract of process employed for the amplification of circular HPV13 genome, a representative figure of PCR products obtained for sequencing and multiple sequence alignments with the translated coding sequences of the existing genomes: X62843 is the first HPV13 genome reported [2]; it was generated from a clone obtained from a Turkish patient; DQ344807 was originally obtained from a patient in the Amazonian region [3]. The multiple sequence alignments show the main viral proteins (predicted). This provides relevant information for future molecular analysis and epidemiological studies because HPV13 is an understudied genotype associated to a neglected disease that appears more commonly in children. Additionally, the description of the methods can help in future sequencing of HPV genomes. We hope that our solutions will help researchers who do not have next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms. A more comprehensive analysis of this data may be obtained from “Genomic characterization of Human papillomavirus type 13, associated to Multifocal Epithelial Hyperplasia, in a Mayan community” [1].

Due to the high pollution caused by the consumption of energy from fossil fuels, governments have implemented policies that allow the transition to renewable sources, but this depends on many factors associated with the costs and attitudes of the population. This study examines the influence of perceived costs, benefits, and environmental concerns on the behavioral intentions toward renewable energy (RE) adoption in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. A structural equation model is used to validate five hypotheses and information from 511 responses to a survey to explore how perceived costs (PCO) as an independent variable, perceived benefits (PBE), and environmental concerns (ECO) as mediators support intentions to adopt solar energy technologies. Findings reveal that PCO impacts PBE and ECO directly and influences behavioral intentions (BIN) indirectly. This underscores the importance of analyzing PCO in the context of developing countries due to the low per capita income. The study identifies ECO as the most significant factor affecting BIN and PBE as the primary influencer of ECO, suggesting that promoting the benefits of RE could enhance environmental concerns and, consequently, adoption intentions. Sensitivity analysis indicates the necessity of effectively disseminating cost-related information, as costs often overshadow perceived benefits. The findings advocate for clear communication regarding RE costs and benefits and the formulation of supportive policies to facilitate RE adoption in Mexico, highlighting the crucial role of comprehensive awareness strategies in improving public perception and acceptance of RE technologies, providing valuable insights for policymakers, stakeholders, and educators to promote sustainable energy practices.

Streptococcus pyogenes tonsillar infection is well known to trigger and exacerbate psoriasis lesions in both guttate and plaque forms of the disease. Although mucosal and cutaneous tissues are closely involved in psoriasis pathology, the interaction between their specific immune responses has not been deeply explored. This work aims to address and characterize the presence of humoral responses against S. pyogenes in patients with psoriasis and its putative association with cytokine responses detected in vitro in our psoriasis ex vivo model, based on the coculture of cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen +/- T cells with autologous epidermal cells. Patients with psoriasis presented increased IgA response to S. pyogenes when compared with control subjects. In patients with plaque psoriasis, despite being negative for anti-streptolysin O antibody titer, IgA plasma levels against S. pyogenes correlated with cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen + T-cell-dependent IL-17F response in vitro. No association is observed for IgG levels in plaque psoriasis. Similar association is observed for IgA anti-S. pyogenes extract and IL-17A in patients with guttate psoriasis. We propose S. pyogenes-specific IgA as a potential new perspective for better understanding the role of S. pyogenes in psoriasis development., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

IL-9 is present in psoriatic lesions and is produced by lymphocytes. However, it is not known whether this cytokine is induced by relevant pathogenic triggers of psoriasis, such as Streptococcus pyogenes. Here we addressed the production of IL-9 in response to various pathogens in a psoriatic ex vivo model. Extracts of S. pyogenes and Candida albicans triggered the production of IL-9 and also IL-17A and IFN-γ. This induction was dependent on the interaction between CLA + T cells and epidermal cells. Neutralization of IL-9 reduced S. pyogenes-induced IL-17A production by CLA + T cells but had no effect on IFN-γ production. Also, IL-9 increased the survival of circulating psoriatic CLA + T cells. Co-cultures from patients with guttate or plaque psoriasis with S. pyogenes produced similar amounts of IL-9. High cytokine responses in streptococcal-driven guttate patients paralleled peaks in Psoriasis Area Severity Index and anti-streptolysin O levels. Our results confirm that IL-9 promotes inflammation in psoriasis by up-regulating IL-17A production and support the clinical association of the immune response by streptococcal-sensitized CLA + T cells with this cytokine, especially in guttate psoriasis., (Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)