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Abstract Background In order to improve ICSI, appropiate sperm selection and oocyte activation is necessary. The objective of the present study was to determine the efficiency of fertilization using ICSI with chemically activated ovine oocytes and sperm selected by swim up (SU) or swim up + zona pellucida (SU + ZP) binding. Results Experiment 1, 4–20 replicates with total 821 in vitro matured oocytes were chemically activated with ethanol, calcium ionophore or ionomycin, to determine oocyte activation (precense of one PN). Treatments showed similar results (54, 47, 42 %, respectively) but statistically differents (P 0.05). Conclusions Chemical activation induces higher ovine oocyte activation than mechanical activation. Ethanol slightly displays higher oocyte activation than calcium ionophore and ionomicine. Sperm selection with SU + ZP increased AR/A and AR/D rates in comparison with SU in fresh and frozen-thawed sperm. According to this, in terms of fertilization rates, chemical activation after ICSI increased oocyte PN formation compared to mechanical activation. Also, fresh sperm treated with SU and SU + ZP were significantly different than frozen-thawed sperm, but between sperm treatments no significant differences were obtained.

Anticancer peptides are increasingly being considered as alternative treatments for cancer due to their potency, selectivity, and low toxicity. Previously, the peptide LfcinB (21-25) Pal showed in vitro anticancer effects against the Caco-2 colon cancer cell line (half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ): 86 μM). In this study, we developed modifications to the peptide sequence to increase its anticancer activity. Sequence modifications were made such as the inclusion of amino hexanoic acid (Ahx), N-terminal biotinylation, acetylation, and substitutions of Orn for Arg and/or d-Arg by l-Arg. The molecules were synthesized using manual solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), and their synthetic feasibility (SAScore) ranged from 6.2 to 7.6. The chromatographic purities of the synthesized peptides were greater than 89%. We found that Ahx-RWQWRWQWR and RWQWRWQW-Orn showed activity against both Caco-2 and HT-29 cell lines and decreased IC 50 values by approx. 50% in Caco-2 cells (IC 50 : 40 μM) when compared to the parent peptide RWQWRWQWR. Moreover, the modified peptides demonstrated lower hemolytic effects, with values <10% at 200 μg/mL. Toxicity was assessed using the Galleria mellonella model and the half-maximal lethal dose (LD 50 ) for the best peptides was >100 mg/kg, indicating that their toxicity is classified as moderately toxic or lower. In contrast, cisplatin showed an LD 50 of 13 mg/Kg. The designed anticancer peptides presented good in vitro activity and low toxicity, making them promising molecules for future drug development studies., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

The dimeric peptide 26 [F]: (RRWQWR F KKLG) 2 -K-Ahx has exhibited a potent cytotoxic effect against breast cancer cell lines, with position 26 (F) being the most relevant for anti-cancer activity. In this investigation, six analogues of the 26 [F] peptide were synthesized in which the 26th position was replaced by non-natural hydrophobic amino acids, finding that some modifications increased the resistance to proteolytic degradation exerted by trypsin or pepsin. Additionally, these modifications increased the cytotoxic effect against breast cancer cells and generated cell death mediated by apoptosis pathways, activating caspases 8 and 9, and did not compromise the integrity of the cytoplasmic membrane. Finally, it was found that the modified peptides have a broad spectrum of action, since they also have a cytotoxic effect against the HeLa human cervical cancer cell line. Peptide 26 [F] was inoculated in mice by ip administration and the lethal dose 50 (LD 50 ) was between 70 and 140 mg kg -1 . While for the 26 [1-Nal]: (RRWQWR-1-Nal-KKLG) 2 -K-Ahx peptide, a dose-response test was performed, and the survival rate was 100%. These results suggested that these peptides are safe in this animal model and could be considered as promissory to develop a treatment against breast cancer., Competing Interests: We declare we have no competing interests., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top ten threats to public health, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). One of the causes of the growing AMR problem is the lack of new therapies and/or treatment agents; consequently, many infectious diseases could become uncontrollable. The need to discover new antimicrobial agents that are alternatives to the existing ones and that allow mitigating this problem has increased, due to the rapid and global expansion of AMR. Within this context, both antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and cyclic macromolecules, such as resorcinarenes, have been proposed as alternatives to combat AMR. Resorcinarenes present multiple copies of antibacterial compounds in their structure. These conjugate molecules have exhibited antifungal and antibacterial properties and have also been used in anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic, and cardiovascular therapies, as well as being useful in drug and gene delivery systems. In this study, it was proposed to obtain conjugates that contain four copies of AMP sequences over a resorcinarene core. Specifically, obtaining (peptide) 4 -resorcinarene conjugates derived from LfcinB (20-25): RRWQWR and BF (32-34): RLLR was explored. First, the synthesis routes that allowed obtaining: (a) alkynyl-resorcinarenes and (b) peptides functionalized with the azide group were established. These precursors were used to generate (c) (peptide) 4 -resorcinarene conjugates by azide-alkyne cycloaddition CuAAC, a kind of click chemistry. Finally, the conjugates' biological activity was evaluated: antimicrobial activity against reference strains and clinical isolates of bacteria and fungi, and the cytotoxic activity over erythrocytes, fibroblast, MCF-7, and HeLa cell lines. Our results allowed establishing a new synthetic route, based on click chemistry, for obtaining macromolecules derived from resorcinarenes functionalized with peptides. Moreover, it was possible to identify promising antimicrobial chimeric molecules that may lead to advances in the development of new therapeutic agents.

Breast cancer is one of the main causes of premature death in women; current treatments have low selectivity, generating strong physical and psychological sequelae. The palindromic peptide R-1-R (RWQWRWQWR) has cytotoxic activity against different cell lines derived from cancer and selectivity against noncancerous cells. To determine if changes in the charge/length of this peptide increase its activity, six peptides were obtained by SPPS, three of them with addition of Arg at the N, C-terminal or both and three with deletion of Arg at the N, C-terminal or both. The cytotoxic and selective activities were evaluated against MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and MCF-12 cell lines and fibroblast primary cell culture, evidencing that the RR-1-R peptide with the inclusion of Arg in the N-terminal end maintained selectivity and increased cytotoxicity against lines derived from breast cancer. The effect of this addition regarding the type of induced cell death was evaluated by flow cytometry, showing very low rates of necrosis and a significant majority of apoptotic events with activation of both Caspase 8 and Caspase 9. This work allowed us to find a modification that generates a peptide with greater cytotoxic effects and can be considered a promising molecule for other approaches to improve anticancer peptides., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Using the van Deemter model, the efficiency of three stationary phase systems in the analysis of a mixture of synthetic peptides was evaluated: (i) monolithic, (ii) packed, and (iii) core-shell columns, and it was shown that the efficiency of the monolithic column is superior to the others, specifically using it, the lowest values of H min (0.03 and 0.1 mm) were obtained, and additionally its efficiency was not significantly affected by increasing the flow. Using the concept of the gradient retention factor ( k *), a method for chromatographic separation of a peptide complex mixture was designed, implemented, and optimized and then transferred from a packed column to a monolithic one. The results showed that it was possible to separate all components of the mixture using both evaluated columns; moreover, the analysis time was reduced from 70 to 10 min, conserving the critical pair resolution (1.4), by the transfer method using the k * concept. The method developed was tested against a mixture of doping peptides, showing that this method is efficient for separating peptides of various natures. This investigation is very useful for the development of methods for the analysis of complex peptide mixtures since it provides a systematic approach that can be extrapolated to different types of columns and instrumentation., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2022 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Sea anemones produce venoms characterized by a complex mixture of low molecular weight compounds, proteins and peptides acting on voltage-gated ion channels. Mammal sperm cells, like neurons, are characterized by their ion channels. Calcium channels seem to be implicated in pivotal roles such as motility and capacitation. In this study, we evaluated the effect of a low molecular weight fraction from the venom of the sea anemone Lebrunia neglecta on boar sperm cells and in HVA calcium channels from rat chromaffin cells. Spermatozoa viability seemed unaffected by the fraction whereas motility and sperm capacitation were notoriously impaired. The sea anemone fraction inhibited the HVA calcium current with partial recovery and no changes in chromaffin cells' current kinetics and current-voltage relationship. These findings might be relevant to the pharmacological characterization of cnidarian venoms and toxins on voltage-gated calcium channels.

The problem of consensus in networked agent systems is revisited and applied to vision-based localization. A class of new consensus dynamics is introduced first, and sufficient conditions including the persistence of excitation on the coupling matrix for reaching consensus are derived. As an application of the proposed consensus dynamics, an adaptive localization algorithm then is proposed for autonomous robots equipped with primarily visual sensors in GPS-denied environments. In the context of consensus over an undirected tree topology, the convergence of the proposed localization algorithm is proved. Finally, both numerical simulations and physical experiments are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed localization algorithm. Our algorithm is simpler to implement and computationally cheaper compared to other localization methods. Moreover, it is immune to error accumulation and long-term stable, and the asymptotical convergence of the estimation errors can be theoretically guaranteed.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) are toxic and bioaccumulative, included in the Stockholm Convention's list as persistent organic pollutants. Due to their toxicity, worldwide distribution, and lack of information in spermatozoa physiology during pre-fertilization processes, the present study seeks to analyze the toxic effects and possible alterations caused by the presence of these compounds in boar sperm during the in vitro capacitation. The spermatozoa capacitation was performed in supplemented TALP-Hepes media and mean lethal concentration values of 460.55 μM for PFOS, and 1930.60 μM for PFHxS were obtained. Results by chlortetracycline staining showed that intracellular Ca 2+ patterns bound to membrane proteins were scarcely affected by PFOS. The spontaneous acrosome reaction determined by FITC-PNA was significantly reduced by PFOS and slightly increased by PFHxS. Both toxic compounds significantly alter the normal capacitation process from 30 min of exposure. An increase in ROS production was observed by flow cytometry and considerable DNA fragmentation by the comet assay. The immunocytochemistry showed a decrease of tyrosine phosphorylation in proteins of the equatorial and acrosomal zone of the spermatozoa head. In conclusion, PFOS and PFHxS have toxic effects on the sperm, causing mortality and altering vital parameters for proper sperm capacitation.

Short peptides derived from buforin and lactoferricin B were conjugated with other antimicrobial molecules of different chemical natures. The sequences RLLR, RLLRLLR, RWQWRWQWR, and RRWQWR were conjugated at their N-terminal end with non-peptidic molecules such as 6-aminohexanoic acid, ferrocene, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and oxolinic acid. Peptide conjugates and unmodified peptides were synthesized by means of solid-phase peptide synthesis using the Fmoc/ t Bu strategy (SPPS-Fmoc/ t Bu), purified via RP-SPE, and characterized via RP-HPLC and MS. The peptides' antibacterial activity against bacterial strains E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. aureus ATCC 25923 was evaluated, and the results showed that the peptide conjugates exhibited higher antibacterial activity than the original unconjugated peptides. Conjugation of AMPs is a promising strategy for designing and identifying new drugs for treating bacterial infections., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

The effect on the cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell lines of the substitution of 26 Met residue in the sequence of the Bovine Lactoferricin-derived dimeric peptide LfcinB (20-30) 2 : ( 20 RRWQWRMKKLG 30 ) 2 -K- Ahx with amino acids of different polarity was evaluated. The process of the synthesis of the LfcinB (20-30) 2 analog peptides was similar to the original peptide. The cytotoxic assays showed that some analog peptides exhibited a significant cytotoxic effect against breast cancer cell lines HTB-132 and MCF-7, suggesting that the substitution of the Met with amino acids of a hydrophobic nature drastically enhances its cytotoxicity against HTB-132 and MCF-7 cells, reaching IC 50 values up to 6 µM. In addition, these peptides have a selective effect, since they exhibit a lower cytotoxic effect on the non-tumorigenic cell line MCF-12. Interestingly, the cytotoxic effect is fast (90 min) and is maintained for up to 48 h. Additionally, through flow cytometry, it was found that the obtained dimeric peptides generate cell death through the apoptosis pathway and do not compromise the integrity of the cytoplasmic membrane, and there are intrinsic apoptotic events involved. These results show that the obtained peptides are extremely promising molecules for the future development of drugs for use against breast cancer.

The cytotoxic effect against the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468 of the palindromic peptide LfcinB (21-25) Pal : 1 RWQWRWQWR 9 and its analogous peptides, obtained via alanine scanning, was evaluated. The results indicate that the palindromic peptide exhibited a concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect against this cell line. The cytotoxic effect of the palindromic peptide was fast and selective and was sustained for up to 48 h of treatment. MDA-MB-468 cells treated with the palindromic peptide exhibited severe cellular damage, acquiring rounded forms and shrinkage, a behavior typical of apoptotic events. The analogous peptides exhibited fewer cytotoxic effects than the original palindromic peptide, suggesting that the substitution of any amino acid with alanine diminishes the cytotoxic effect. The Arg and Trp residues proved to be the most relevant for the cytotoxic effect; the analogous peptides with substitutions of Trp with Ala did not induce a change in cellular morphology, while analogous peptides with substitutions of Arg or Gln with Ala induced cellular damage. Also, neither the palindromic peptide nor its analogues exerted a significant cytotoxic effect on normal fibroblasts, indicating that the peptides had a selective cytotoxic effect on cancerous cells. The peptide LfcinB (21-25) Pal , and its analogues exhibited antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus strains and a selective cytotoxic effect against the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Electrospinning technology is useful for making ultrafine drug-eluting fibers for the clinical treatment of wounds. We show the incorporation of an antimicrobial LfcinB-derived peptide into Pullulan nanofibers. The palindromic peptide LfcinB (21-25) Pal : RWQWRWQWR was synthesized, purified, and characterized by means of the RP-HPLC and MALDI-TOF MS methods. The peptide's antibacterial activity against the E. coli ATCC 25922 strain was evaluated, and the peptide LfcinB (20-25) Pal exhibited significant antibacterial activity. Nanofibers were obtained by electrospinning a Pullulan or Pullulan-LfcinB (21-25) Pal solution. The obtained nanofibers were characterized via microscopy (AFM and SEM) and RP-HPLC chromatography. The peptide incorporation efficiency was 31%. The Pullulan-LfcinB (21-25) Pal nanofibers were soluble in water, and the peptide was liberated immediately. The Pullulan-LfcinB (21-25) Pal nanofibers exhibited the same antibacterial activity against E. coli strain as the free peptide LfcinB (21-25) Pal . The results suggest that Pullulan-LfcinB (21-25) Pal nanofibers could be considered for designing and developing antibacterial wound dressings., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

The cytotoxic effect of the tetrameric peptide LfcinB (20-25) 4 against breast cancer cell line ATCC® HTB-22™ (MCF-7) was evaluated. The tetrameric peptide exhibited a concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect against MCF-7 cancer cells. The peptide at 22 µM had the maximum cytotoxic effect against MCF-7 cancer cells, reducing their cell viability to ∼20%. The cytotoxic effect of the tetrameric peptide against MCF-7 cells was sustained for 24 hours. Furthermore, the tetrameric peptide did not exhibit a significant cytotoxic effect against the non-tumorogenic trophoblastic cell line, which confirms their selectivity for breast cancer cell lines. The MCF-7 cells treated at 12.2 µM for 1 h exhibited morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis, such as rounded forms and cellular shrinkage. Furthermore, this peptide induces severe cellular damage to MCF-7 cells, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and increase of cytoplasmic calcium concentration. Our results suggest that it has a significant selective cytotoxic effect against MCF-7 cells, which may be mainly associated with the apoptotic pathway. This peptide, which contains the RRWQWR motif, could be considered to be a promising candidate for developing therapeutic agents for the treatment of breast cancer., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

A methodology was implemented for purifying peptides in one chromatographic run via solid-phase extraction (SPE), reverse phase mode (RP), and gradient elution, obtaining high-purity products with good yields. Crude peptides were analyzed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography and a new mathematical model based on its retention time was developed in order to predict the percentage of organic modifier in which the peptide will elute in RP-SPE. This information was used for designing the elution program of each molecule. It was possible to purify peptides with different physicochemical properties, showing that this method is versatile and requires low solvent consumption, making it the least polluting one. Reverse phase-SPE can easily be routinely implemented. It is an alternative to enrich and purified synthetic or natural molecules.

Dimeric and tetrameric peptides derived from LfcinB (20-25): RRWQWR, LfcinB (20-30): RRWQWRMKKLG, LfcinB (17-31): FKARRWQWRMKKLGA, or the palindromic sequence LfcinB (21-25) Pal : RWQWRWQWR were obtained by means of the SPPS-Fmoc/ t Bu methodology. The antibacterial activity of these molecules was evaluated against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922 and ATCC 11775), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853). The dimer LfcinB (20-25) 2 : (RRWQWR) 2 K-Ahx, the tetramer LfcinB (20-25) 4 : (RRWQWR) 4 K 2 -Ahx 2 -C 2 , and the palindromic sequence LfcinB (21-25) Pal exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial strains. In all cases, the antibacterial activity was dependent on peptide concentration. The polyvalent molecules LfcinB (20-25) 2 and LfcinB (20-25) 4 exhibited bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity against E. coli , P. aeruginosa , and S. aureus strains; additionally, this dimer and this tetramer combined with ciprofloxacin exhibited a synergistic antibacterial effect against E. coli ATCC 25922 and P. aeruginosa , respectively. Furthermore, the peptides LfcinB (20-30) 4 , LfcinB (20-25) 4 , and LfcinB (21-25) Pal combined with vancomycin exhibited a synergistic antibacterial effect against S. aureus and E. faecalis , respectively. This study showed that polyvalent peptides derived from LfcinB exhibit significant antibacterial activity, suggesting that these peptides could have a therapeutic application. Furthermore, our results suggest that polyvalent peptide synthesis could be considered as an innovative and viable strategy for obtaining promising antimicrobial molecules., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Background: Adult intestinal intussusception is a rare condition caused by the mechanical disruption of bowel motility. A bezoar is defined as indigestible material inside the gastrointestinal tract that develops into a trapped mass; the most frequent bezoar is a trichobezoar. When a trichobezoar extends into the small intestine it is defined as Rapunzel's syndrome. Literature describing complications related to this pathology remains scarce., Case Presentation: A 16-year-old Mexican girl presented to our emergency room with acute abdomen and a presumptive diagnosis of intestinal obstruction. Computed tomography was suggestive of intussusception. Surgery confirmed a jejunal-jejunal intussusception with a mass within the gastric cavity extending into her small intestine, corresponding to a trichobezoar. A manual intussusception reduction and a gastrotomy with extraction of the trichobezoar were performed., Conclusions: We present a case of a jejunum intussusception as a complication of Rapunzel syndrome. Our patient had a favorable outcome after surgical intervention with a manual intussusception reduction, with retrograde displacement of the trichobezoar into the gastric lumen, and a complete extraction through a gastrostomy. Follow-up included psychiatric evaluation.

Introduction: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the most frequent procedure for the general surgeon. Biliary injury is a concern that must be addressed with the purpose of lowering the rate. The critical view of safety (CVS) is a target of dissection that impulses safety during the procedure., Objective: Determine by an ambispective analysis the safety during dissection of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Hospital Civil de Culiacán (México)., Methods: Descriptive, ambispective, observational, cross-sectional. Patients admitted to the operating room for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy were scored with Doublet photography rating criteria from January 1 st 2015 to January 31, 2017., Results: 321 patients were evaluated, 77.9% were female and 22.1% male. The mean age was 45.57 ± 16.17 years. 65.4% had admission diagnosis of cholelithiasis, 24.3% acute cholecystitis, 5.9% chronic cholecystitis, 3.7% hydrocolecist and 0.6% pyocolecist. Surgeries were scored with Doublet photography. The CVS was obtained in 41.4% of the procedures with a statistical significance between a HPB surgeon and a general surgery resident (p ≤ 0.05)., Conclusion: Recording Doublet photography provides a reliable CVS dissection criterion. It can be easily reproduced during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The identification of cystic structures adds to the culture of safety during laparoscopic cholecystectomy., (Copyright: © 2018 Permanyer.)

In order to obtain gold electrode surfaces modified with Human Papillomavirus L1 protein (HPV L1)-derived peptides, two sequences, SPINNTKPHEAR and YIK, were chosen. Both have been recognized by means of sera from patients infected with HPV. The molecules, Fc-Ahx-SPINNTKPHEAR, Ac-C- Ahx -(Fc)KSPINNTKPHEAR, Ac-C- Ahx -SPINNTKPHEAR(Fc)K, C- Ahx -SPINNTKPHEAR, and (YIK)₂- Ahx -C, were designed, synthesized, and characterized. Our results suggest that peptides derived from the SPINNTKPHEAR sequence, containing ferrocene and cysteine residues, are not stable and not adequate for electrode surface modification. The surface of polycrystalline gold electrodes was modified with the peptides C-Ahx-SPINNTKPHEAR or (YIK)₂-Ahx-C through self-assembly. The modified polycrystalline gold electrodes were characterized via infrared spectroscopy and electrochemical measurements. The thermodynamic parameters, surface coverage factor, and medium pH effect were determined for these surfaces. The results indicate that surface modification depends on the peptide sequence (length, amino acid composition, polyvalence, etc.). The influence of antipeptide antibodies on the voltammetric response of the modified electrode was evaluated by comparing results obtained with pre-immune and post-immune serum samples., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Background: In order to improve ICSI, appropiate sperm selection and oocyte activation is necessary. The objective of the present study was to determine the efficiency of fertilization using ICSI with chemically activated ovine oocytes and sperm selected by swim up (SU) or swim up + zona pellucida (SU + ZP) binding., Results: Experiment 1, 4-20 replicates with total 821 in vitro matured oocytes were chemically activated with ethanol, calcium ionophore or ionomycin, to determine oocyte activation (precense of one PN). Treatments showed similar results (54, 47, 42 %, respectively) but statistically differents ( P  < 0.05) than mechanical activated oocytes in sham, ICSI and sham injection (13, 25, 32 %, respectively) (10-17 replicates; n  = 429). Experiment 2: Twelve ejaculates and 28 straws of semen were used (11-19 replicates). Sperm were selected by SU in BSA-TCM 199-H medium. A total of 2,294 fresh sperm and 2,760 from frozen-thawed semen were analyzed after SU or SU + ZP binding. Fresh sperm selected by SU showed acrosome reaction (AR) of 59 %, the sperm selected by SU + ZP binding increased AR to 91 %. In comparison, the AR of frozen-thawed sperm using SU or SU + ZP binding was 77 and 86 %, respectively ( P  < 0.05). Experiment 3: fertilization in 200 mechanical activativated oocytes (17 replicates) was 4 %, but fertilization increased in ethanol activated oocytes after ICSI (12-28 %) (5-6 replicates). When fresh sperm only selected by SU were injected to 123 oocytes, a fertilization rate (28 %) was achieved; in sperm selected by SU + ZP was 25 % (73 oocytes). In comparison, in frozen-thawed sperm selected by SU, fertilization was 13 % (70 oocytes), whereas sperm from SU + ZP binding displayed 12 % (51 oocytes) ( P  > 0.05)., Conclusions: Chemical activation induces higher ovine oocyte activation than mechanical activation. Ethanol slightly displays higher oocyte activation than calcium ionophore and ionomicine. Sperm selection with SU + ZP increased AR/A and AR/D rates in comparison with SU in fresh and frozen-thawed sperm. According to this, in terms of fertilization rates, chemical activation after ICSI increased oocyte PN formation compared to mechanical activation. Also, fresh sperm treated with SU and SU + ZP were significantly different than frozen-thawed sperm, but between sperm treatments no significant differences were obtained.

Background: The complications of otitis media (intra-cranial and extra-cranial) used to have a high morbidity and mortality in the pre-antibiotic era, but these are now relatively rare, mainly due to the use of antibiotics and the use of ventilation tubes, reducing the incidence of such complications significantly. Currently, an early suspicion of these complications is a major challenge for diagnosis and management., Clinical Cases: The cases of 5 patients (all male) are presented, who were diagnosed with complicated otitis media, 80% (4) with a mean age of 34.6 years (17-52). There was major comorbidity in 60% (3), with one patient with diabetes mellitus type 2, and two with chronic renal failure. There were 3 (60%) intra-cranial complications: one patient with thrombosis of the sigmoid sinus and a cerebellar abscess; another with a retroauricular and brain abscess, and a third with meningitis. Of the 2 (40%) extra-cranial complications: one patient had a Bezold abscess, and the other with a soft tissue abscess and petrositis. All patients were managed with surgery and antibiotic therapy, with 100% survival (5), and with no neurological sequelae. The clinical course of otitis media is usually short, limiting the infection process in the majority of patients due to the immune response and sensitivity of the microbe to the antibiotic used. However, a small number of patients (1-5%) may develop complications., Conclusion: Otitis media is a common disease in our country, complications are rare, but should be suspected when the picture is of torpid evolution with clinical worsening and manifestation of neurological signs., (Copyright © 2015 Academia Mexicana de Cirugía A.C. Publicado por Masson Doyma México S.A. All rights reserved.)

Background: Acute appendicitis is the more frequent no obstetric surgical emergency during pregnancy with an incidence of 1 in 1500 pregnancies. The clinical diagnosis is difficult because of the physiological changes of pregnancy itself. If not treated early increases the risk of maternal and fetal morbidity., Objective: To describe the diagnosis and treatment of four cases of acute appendicitis during pregnancy., Clinical Case: Four cases of acute appendicitis during pregnancy diagnosed in the period of a month. Gestational age at diagnosis of appendicitis was between 8 and 13 week. All patients underwent laparotomy; three cases were appendicitis phase II and one phase III. The preoperative was managed with indomethacin and ceftriaxone. There were no maternal or obstetric complications., Conclusions: An early diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis during pregnancy, and a multidisciplinary approach between surgeon, obstetrician and anesthesiologist is the basis for success in the management of these patients.

We report a case of Sirenomelia. The mother began prenatal care in the second trimester. Transabdominal ultrasound was determined anhydramnios, cardiac abnormalities and lumbosacral spine. We obtained a single fetus of 21 weeks' gestation with fused lower extremities from the hip to finish in a stump without the presence of feet. Heart with transposition of the great vessels, among other birth defects. It was classified as symelia, Apodi apus, monopodio sirenoide, siren ectropodia, type VI. It is important to diagnose early, because it is a serious and deadly disorder.

Mobile robot/sensor networks have emerged as tools for environmental monitoring, search and rescue, exploration and mapping, evaluation of civil infrastructure, and military operations. These networks consist of many sensors each equipped with embedded processors, wireless communication, and motion capabilities. This paper describes a cooperative mobile robot network capable of detecting and tracking a perimeter defined by a certain substance (e.g., a chemical spill) in the environment. Specifically, the contributions of this paper are twofold: (i) a library of simple reactive motion control algorithms and (ii) a coordination mechanism for effectively carrying out perimeter-sensing missions. The decentralized nature of the methodology implemented could potentially allow the network to scale to many sensors and to reconfigure when adding/deleting sensors. Extensive simulation results and experiments verify the validity of the proposed cooperative control scheme.