SUMMARY: This research was designed to investigate the potential protective effect of vitamin C supplementation against hepatocyte ultrastructural alterations induced by artemether (antimalarial drug) administration. Twenty-four adult male albino rats were used in this study and were divided into four groups (n=6). Group I served as a control and rats in group II administrated artemether (4 mg/kg B.W) orally for three consecutive days. Group III administered artemether plus a low dose of vitamin C (2.86 mg/kg/l water) while group IV received artemether plusa high dose of vitamin C (8.56 mg/kg). At the end of the experimental period (14 days), the harvested liver tissues were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and blood samples were assayed for biomarkers of liver injury and oxidative stress. Artemether significantly (p<0.05) augmented biomarkers of liver injury such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and oxidative stress such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX), and caused degeneration and damage of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and disrupted mitochondria. The blood sinusoids were also damaged with distortion of their canaliculi. Administration of vitamin C showed improvement of liver biomarkers, and liver parenchyma, especially in a high dose of vitamin C.We concludes that vitamin C is a partial protective agent against artemether-induced liver injury.

RESUMEN: Esta investigación fue diseñada para investigar el posible efecto protector de la vitamina C contra las alteraciones ultraestructurales de los hepatocitos, inducidas por la administración de arteméter (medicamento antipalúdico). En el estudio se utilizaron 24 ratas albinas macho adultas y se dividieron en cuatro grupos (n = 6). El grupo I fue designado como control y las ratas en el grupo II se adminstró Arteméter (4 mg / kg de peso corporal) por vía oral durante tres días consecutivos. En el grupo III se administró arteméter, además de una dosis baja de vitamina C (2,86 mg / kg / l de agua) mientras que el grupo IV recibió arteméter más una dosis alta de vitamina C (8,56 mg / kg). Al final del período experimental (14 días), los tejidos hepáticos recolectados se examinaron por microscopía electrónica de transmisión (MET), y las muestras de sangre se analizaron en busca de biomarcadores de daño hepático y estrés oxidativo. El arteméter aumentó significativamente (p <0,05) los biomarcadores de daño hepático como alanina aminotransferasa (ALT), aspartato aminotransferasa (AST) y estrés oxidativo como superóxido dismutasa (SOD), glutatión peroxidasa (GPX) y causó degeneración y daño de la retículo endoplásmico rugoso y mitocondrias alteradas. Los sinusoides sanguíneos también fueron dañados con la distorsión de sus canalículos. La administración de vitamina C mostró una mejoría de los biomarcadores hepáticos y el parénquima hepático, especialmente en una dosis alta de vitamina C. Concluimos que la vitamina C es un agente protector parcial contra la lesión hepática inducida por arteméter.

ABSTRACT We present a photometric and astrometric analysis of the NGC 2158 cluster using Gaia DR2 and 2MASS data. The cluster age, color excess, intrinsic distance modulus and distance are calculated to be t = 2.240 ± 0.260Gyr, E(B − V ) =0.420±0.050mag, m - M ⊙ = 12.540 ± 0.130 m a g and d ⊙ =3224±200 p c respectively. The photometric analysis and light curve modelling of the proposed eclipsing binary member [NBN2015]78 is performed using the latest version of the WilsonDevinney (W-D) code. The solutions show that the system is an over-contact binary with a secondary component filling its Roche lobe, with a mass ratio q = 0.262. The primary and the secondary components of the system consist of two late spectral types K1 and K2 respectively. The membership of [NBN2015]78 is discussed using two independent methods, and we find that [NBN2015]78 is an interloper and not a member of NGC 2158.

RESUMEN Presentamos un análisis fotométrico y astrométrico del cúmulo NGC 2158 con datos de Gaia DR2 y 2MASS. Calculamos la edad del cúmulo, el exceso de color, el módulo intrínseco de distancia y la distancia como t = 2.240 ± 0.260Giga-años, E(B − V ) = 0.420 ± 0.050mag, m - M ⊙ = 12.540 ± 0.130 m a g y d ⊙ =3224±200 p c, respectivamente. Mediante la última versión del código Wilson-Devinney modelamos la curva de luz de la binaria eclipsante [NBN2015]78 propuesta como miembro del cúmulo. Las soluciones muestran que el sistema es una binaria en sobre-contacto, cuya secundaria llena el lóbulo de Roche; el cociente de masas es q = 0.262. Las dos componentes del sistema son de tipo espectral tardío, K1 y K2. Discutimos la pertenencia de [NBN2015]78 al cúmulo mediante dos métodos independientes, y encontramos que no pertenece a él.

RESUMO Objetivo Estabelecer ponto de corte entre as variáveis clínicas e funcionais para avaliar a prevalência de sarcopenia e dinapenia em pacientes com Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica (DPOC), além de analisar o impacto da Disfunção Muscular Esquelética (DME) nestas variáveis. Métodos Realizado estudo transversal com pacientes diagnosticados com DPOC para determinar sarcopenia ou dinapenia por meio do índice de baixa massa muscular e Força de Preensão Palmar (FPP). Avaliadas a função pulmonar, força muscular respiratória e capacidade funcional (CF). A precisão das variáveis na determinação dos pontos de corte previstos para as doenças em questão foi obtida a partir da curva Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) e de uma análise bidirecional da variância. Resultados Ao final da análise, obtiveram-se 20 pacientes com DPOC estratificados por sarcopenia (n = 11) e dinapenia (n = 07). O grupo com sarcopenia apresentou menor massa magra e menor pressão inspiratória máxima (PImáx), diminuição da Força de Preensão Palmar (FPP) e redução da CF (p<0,050). O grupo com dinapenia apresentou redução da PImáx, menor FPP e menor distância percorrida no teste Incremental Shuttle Walk (ISWT) (p<0,050). Foram encontrados pontos de corte no Volume Expiratório Forçado (VEF1) durante o primeiro segundo na PImáx, na Pressão Expiratória Máxima (PEmáx) e no ISWT, o que possibilitou identificar sarcopenia ou dinapenia nestes pacientes. A partir destes resultados, foi possível encontrar coexistência das condições (efeito DME) na DPOC: redução da distância no ISWT (p = 0,002) e % ISWT (p = 0,017). Conclusões Em pacientes com DPOC moderada a muito grave, a sarcopenia pode ser prevista pelo VEF1 (% previsto) <52, PImáx <73 cm H2O, PEmáx <126 cm H2O e distância percorrida de <295 metros no ISWT. Já a dinapenia pode ser prevista pelo VEF1 <40%, PImáx <71 cm H2O, PEmáx <110 cm H2O e distância de <230 metros percorrida no ISWT.

ABSTRACT Objective To establish a cut-off point for clinical and functional variables to determinate sarcopenia and dynapenia in COPD patients, and to analyze the impact of skeletal muscle dysfunction (SMD) on these variables. Methods Cross-sectional study, screened COPD patients for sarcopenia or dynapenia through low muscle mass and hand grip strength (HGS). Clinical variables: pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity (FC). The precision of the variables in determining points of predictive cut-off for sarcopenia or dynapenia were performed using the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve and two-way analysis of variance. Results 20 COPD patients stratified for sarcopenia (n = 11) and dynapenia (n = 07). Sarcopenia group presented lower lean mass and lower maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), decreased HGS, reduced FC (p<0.050). Dynapenia group presented reduced MIP, lower HGS and walked a shorter distance at Incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) (p<0.050). We found cut-off points of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), MIP and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) and ISWT. It is possible to identify sarcopenia or dynapenia in these patients. We found the coexistence of the conditions (SMD effect) in COPD – reduction in the distance in the ISWT (p = 0.002) and %ISWT (p = 0.017). Conclusion In moderate to very severe COPD patients the sarcopenia could be predicted by FEV1 (%predicted) < 52, MIP < 73 cmH2O, MEP < 126 cmH2O and distance traveled of < 295 m in ISWT. Whereas dynapenia could be predicted by FEV1 < 40%, MIP < 71 cmH2O, MEP < 110 cmH2O and distance of < 230 m traveled in ISWT.

This paper presents an optimal control of processes described by a quasilinear parabolic systems with controls in the coefficients of equation, in the boundary condition and in the right side of this equation. Theorems concarning the existence and uniqueness for the solution of the cosidering problem are invistigated.

Este artículo presenta un control óptimo de procesos descritos por un sistema parabólico cuasilineal con control en los coeficientes de la ecuación, en la condición de frontera y en el lado derecho de esta ecuación. Se investigan los teoremas relacionados con la existencia y unicidad para la solución del problema considerado.

This study, based on a 48 Xisqueta skull samples, gives a statistical insight of the skull shape in this breed. Thirty eight measurements and eight indexes were recorded. The variance structure was done using a Principal Component Analysis (PCA). This was possible sequel to the application and permission of the covariance matrix. The mean length of the skulls was found to be 265.51±22.24 mm, with the width and cephalic index to the magnitude of 117.2 ± 6.89 mm and 44.69 ± 4.29 mm, respectively. The viscerocranium length was 143.07±9.74 mm thus indicating a similar portion with the neurocranium part of the skull (137.17 ± 6.25 mm). The orbit was slightly almond shaped. Variability was generally high within parameters but parameter variation was less in regard to basal surface length parameters than the others. The results from Principal Component Analysis indicated that skull variance was concentrated on the first two components. The first principal component explained 99.21 % of the generalized variance in skull parameters and gave special emphasis to viscerocranium. The second principal component may be called the neurocranial component. The first and the second principal components explained 99.77% of the observed variance. The third principal component was related with foramen magnum and orbital parameters.

Este estudio, basado en una muestra de 48 cráneos de Xisqueta, da una visión estadística de la biometría del cráneo de esta raza. Treinta y ocho mediciones y ocho índices fueron tomados. La longitud media de los cráneos se encontraron entre 265,51±22,24 mm con el ancho e índice cefálico con la magnitud de 117,2±6,89 mm y 44,69±4,29 mm respectivamente. La longitud del viscerocráneo fue 143,07±9,74 mm, lo que indica una porción similar con la parte del neurocráneo (137,17 ± 6,25 mm). La órbita tuvo una forma ligeramente de almendra. La variabilidad fue generalmente alta dentro de los parámetros, pero fueron menores en la longitud de la superficie basal. La estructura de varianza se realizó utilizando un Análisis de Componentes Principales (ACP). Esto fue posible gracias a la aplicación y la permisividad de la matriz de covarianza. La solución del ACP indica que la varianza del cráneo se concentró en los dos primeros componentes. El primer componente principal explicó el 99,21% de la varianza generalizada en los parámetros de cráneo y prestó especial atención al viscerocráneo. El segundo componente principal se puede llamar el componente neurocráneo. El primer y el segundo componente principal explicaron 99,77% de la varianza observada. El tercer componente principal estaba relacionado con el foramen magno y los parámetros orbitales.

The anti-tumor effect of the Moroccan endemic thyme (Thymus broussonettii) essential oil (EOT) was investigated in vitro using the human ovarian adenocarcinoma IGR-OV1 parental cell line OV1/P and its chemoresistant counterparts OV1/adriamycin (OV1/ADR), OV1/vincristine (OV1/VCR), and OV1/cisplatin (OV1/CDDP). All of these cell lines elicited various degrees of sensitivity to the cytotoxic effect of EOT. The IC50 values (mean ± SEM, v/v) were 0.40 ± 0.02, 0.39 ± 0.02, 0.94 ± 0.05, and 0.65 ± 0.03% for OV1/P, OV1/ADR, OV1/VCR, and OV1/CDDP, respectively. Using the DBA-2/P815 (H2d) mouse model, tumors were developed by subcutaneous grafting of tumor fragments of similar size obtained from P815 (murin mastocytoma cell line) injected in donor mouse. Interestingly, intra-tumoral injection of EOT significantly reduced solid tumor development. Indeed, by the 30th day of repeated EOT treatment, the tumor volumes of the animals were 2.00 ± 0.27, 1.35 ± 0.20, and 0.85 ± 0.18 cm³ after injection with 10, 30, or 50 µL per 72 h (six times), respectively, as opposed to 3.88 ± 0.50 cm³ for the control animals. This tumoricidal effect was associated with a marked decrease of mouse mortality. In fact, in these groups of mice, the recorded mortality by the 30th day of treatment was 30 ± 4, 18 ± 4, and 8 ± 3%, respectively, while the control animals showed 75 ± 10% of mortality. These data indicate that the EOT which contains carvacrol as the major component has an important in vitro cytotoxic activity against tumor cells resistant to chemotherapy as well as a significant antitumor effect in mice. However, our data do not distinguish between carvacrol and the other components of EOT as the active factor.

The concept of anti-inflammation is currently evolving with the definition of several endogenous inhibitory circuits that are important in the control of the host inflammatory response. Here we focus on one of these pathways, the annexin 1 (ANXA1) system. Originally identified as a 37 kDa glucocorticoid-inducible protein, ANXA1 has emerged over the last decade as an important endogenous modulator of inflammation. We review the pharmacological effects of ANXA1 on cell types involved in inflammation, from blood-borne leukocytes to resident cells. This review reveals that there is scope for more research, since most of the studies have so far focused on the effects of the protein and its peptido-mimetics on neutrophil recruitment and activation. However, many other cells central to inflammation, e.g. endothelial cells or mast cells, also express ANXA1: it is foreseen that a better definition of the role(s) of the endogenous protein in these cells will open the way to further pharmacological studies. We propose that a more systematic analysis of ANXA1 physio-pharmacology in cells involved in the host inflammatory reaction could aid in the design of novel anti-inflammatory therapeutics based on this endogenous mediator.