Cleavage of Carbofuran and Carbofuran-Derivatives in Micellar Aggregates

In recent years, the stability of carbamate pesticides have been studied by our research group in a wide range of biomimetic microheterogeneous media such as micelles or reverse micelles. These microheterogeneous media included different surfactant species and, hence, different self-assembled structures. In particular, basic hydrolysis of carbofuran and its derivatives have been analysed in the presence of anionic, cationic, non-ionic and reverse micelles. The results obtained from these physicochemical and kinetic studies, as well as a consistent comparison of them, are now summarised.

Cyclodextrin-Surfactant Mixed Systems as Reaction Media

In recent years our reseach group has investigated the chemical behaviour of β-cyclodextrin (CD)/surfactant mixed systems and their characteristics as reaction media. The results have been interpreted in terms of a pseudophase model that takes into account the formation of both CD-surfactant and CD-substrate complexes and also, in some cases, the exchange of X- and OH- ions between the micellar and aqueous pseudophases. from the experimental results it was concluded that the presence of CD has no effect on existing micelles but raises the critical micellar concentration (cmc). on the other hand, at surfactant concentrations above the cmc, competition between the micellisation and complexation processes leads to the existence of a significant concentration of free CD in equilibrium with the micellar aggregates. The percentage of uncomplexed β-CD in equilibrium with the micellar system increases on increasing the hydrophobicity of the surfactant molecule. This behaviour was justified taking into account the existence of two simultaneous processes: complexation of surfactant monomers by CD and the process of self-assembly to form micellar aggregates. The autoaggregation of surfactant monomers is more important than the complexation process in this mixed system. Varying the hydrophobicity of the surfactant monomer enabled us to determine that the percentages of uncomplexed CD in equilibrium with the micellar system were in the range of 5-95%. When the surfactant self-assembly structure is a vesicle, the free CD in the CD/surfactant mixed system yields a percentage of 100%.

[Application of proteomics to neurological diseases]

Proteomic is a set of tools that allows the separation and identification of proteins expressed by a cell, tissue or organism. Two-dimensional electrophoresis is the central tool that allows qualitative and quantitative comparisons of protein patterns between samples. Differential analysis of protein expression patterns in different neurological diseases (stroke, Alzheimer, Parkinson, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Hungtington, epilepsy) allows the identification of diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarkers. Subsequently, validation of these markers may help to identify new diagnostic and therapeutic targets.

Hepatic iron overload associated with self-medication

A patient with the incidental finding of an elevated serum ferritin level was found to have hepatic iron overload associated with iron injections. Liver disease is an example of one of the potential complications of folk remedies or patient self-medication that physicians may encounter, especially along the US-Mexican border.

Medicine residents' practices in cancer screening in a Hispanic population

Cancer screening is a valuable intervention to reduce breast cancer mortality and the incidence of invasive cervical carcinoma. We conducted a retrospective survey to determine the residents' compliance with use of mammography and Pap smear in Hispanic women. A total of 280 charts that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. According to the guidelines, 784 mammograms and 714 Pap smears were indicated. The residents' compliance with mammography was 10.6% (+/- 9.16) and with Pap smear, 6.6% (+/- 7.68). The study demonstrates an unacceptable level of cancer screening practice by the medicine residents caring for this Hispanic population.