A novel series of pyrazole derivatives toward biological applications: experimental and conceptual DFT characterization

A new series of 13 pyrazole-derivative compounds with potential antifungal activity were synthetized with good yields. The series have the (E)-2-((1-(R)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)diazenyl)phenol general structure and were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis, FTIR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and two-dimensional NMR experiments. This experimental characterization was complemented by DFT simulations. A deep insight regarding molecular reactivity was accomplished employing a conceptual DFT approach. In this sense, dual descriptors were calculated at HF and DFT level of theory and GGV spin-density Fukui functions. The main reactive region within the molecules was mapped through isosurface and condensed representations. Finally, chemical descriptors that have previously shown to be close related to biological activity were compared within the series. Thus, higher values of chemical potential ω and electrophilicity χ obtained for compounds 10, 9, 8, 6 and 7, in this order, suggest that these molecules are the better candidates as biological agents.

Bennett acceptance ratio method to calculate the binding free energy of BACE1 inhibitors: Theoretical model and design of new ligands of the enzyme

In recent years, the design, development, and evaluation of several inhibitors of the BACE1 enzyme, as part of Alzheimer's treatment, have gathered the scientific community's interest. Here, a linear regression model was built using binding free energy calculations through the Bennett acceptance ratio method for 20 known inhibitors of the BACE1 enzyme, with a Pearson coefficient of R = 0.88 and R²  = 0.78. The validation of this model was verified employing eight additional random inhibitors, which also gave a linear correlation with R = 0.97 and R²  = 0.93. Furthermore, this linear regression model was also used for proposing the structure of four potential BACE1 inhibitors, and the most active of them gave a theoretical K_d  = 10 nM. However, these molecules have not been synthesized yet. Our team used a total time of more than 800 ns for the Molecular Dynamics to carry out this study, and all the software used were freely available.

Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus of chitosan/chondroitin sulfate nanocomplex aerogels alone and enriched with erythromycin and elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum L. var. ampeloprasum) extract

The antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus of aerogels fabricated from colloidal suspensions of chitosan/chondroitin sulfate nanocomplexes is analyzed. Upon freeze-drying the colloidal suspensions, the aerogels presented a porous structure made of microsheets and microfibers. The aerogels could, in addition, be loaded with antimicrobial agents. Loaded with the antibiotic erythromycin, the aerogels showed crystalline deposits, affecting the topography of the samples as well as their mechanical properties, showing a decrease on the apparent Young’s modulus and hardness at 40% deformation. Loaded with elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum L. var. ampeloprasum) extract, the aerogels showed texturization of the microsheets and microfibers, and the higher relative mass allowed an increase on the apparent Young’s modulus and hardness at 40% deformation with respect to pristine aerogels. Unloaded aerogels showed activity against Staphylococcus aureus, including a methicillin-resistant strain. The release of erythromycin from the aerogels to an agar environment is governed by equilibrium forces with the polysaccharides, which allow modulating the load of antibiotic and its concomitant diffusion from the material. The diffusion of the active components of the elephant garlic extract did not show a dependence on the polysaccharide content, revealing a week interaction. The elephant garlic extract resulted active against the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain, while resistance was found for the antibiotic, revealing the therapeutic potential of the natural extract. The antimicrobial aerogels may be used for several therapeutic purposes, such as healing of infected chronic wounds.

Membrane technology applied to acid mine drainage from copper mining

The objective of this study is to evaluate the treatment of high-strength acid mine drainage (AMD) from copper mining by nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) at pilot scale. The performances of two commercial spiral-wound membranes - NF99 and RO98pHt, both from Alfa Laval - were compared. The effects of pressure and feed flow on ion rejection and permeate flux were evaluated. The results showed high ion removal under optimum pressure conditions, which reached 92% for the NF99 membrane and 98% for the RO98pHt membrane. Sulfate removal reached 97% and 99% for NF99 and RO98pHt, respectively. In the case of copper, aluminum, iron and manganese, the removal percentage surpassed 95% in both membranes. Although concentration polarization limited NF performance at higher pressures, permeate fluxes observed in NF were five times greater than those obtained by RO, with only slightly lower divalent ion rejection rates, making it a promising option for the treatment of AMD.

A family of substituted hydrazonoisoxazolones with potential biological properties

The synthesis and characterization of a family of isoxazolones were performed. X-Ray diffraction over three structures was performed. All the compounds showed antineoplastic activity.

Single ion magnets based on lanthanoid polyoxomolybdate complexes

Organic solubility of these POMs enhances the chemical processability into molecular spintronic devices.

Structural aspects of two α-dihydrazones displaying a complete survey of intermolecular interactions

The compounds (2′E,2′E)-2,2′-(propane-1,2-diylidene)bis[1-(2-nitrophenyl)hydrazine], C15H14N6O4, (I), and (2Z,3Z)-ethyl 3-[2-(2-nitrophenyl)hydrazinylidene]-2-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)hydrazinylidene]butanoate tetrahydrofuran hemisolvate, C18H18N6O6·0.5C4H8O, (II), are puzzling outliers deviating from a general synthetic route aimed at the preparation of substituted pyrazoles. Possible reasons for this outcome, which is exceptional in an otherwise firmly established synthetic procedure, are analyzed. Compound (I) is unsolvated, while compound (II) crystallizes with a tetrahydrofuran solvent molecule lying on an inversion centre. The ethoxycarbonyl chain of (II), in turn, appears disordered into two equally populated (50%) moieties. In both structures, a plethora of different commonly occurring weak intermolecular interactions [viz. π(phenyl)...π(phenyl), π(C=N)...π(C=N), π(phenyl)...π(C=N), N—H...O and C—H...O] appear responsible for the crystal stability. Much less common are the short O(nitro)...O(nitro) contacts which are observed in the structure of (I), an example of unusual `electron donor–acceptor' (EDA) interactions.

On substituted pyrazole derivatives. II. (E)-1-(4-{[1-(4-Fluorophenyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]diazenyl}phenyl)ethanone and (E)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(2-nitrophenyl)diazenyl]-1H-pyrazole

The molecular structures of (E)-1-(4-{[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]diazenyl}phenyl)ethanone, C19H17FN4O, (III), and (E)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3,5-dimethyl-4-[2-(2-nitrophenyl)diazenyl]-1H-pyrazole, C17H14ClN5O2, (IV), prepared by reaction of the corresponding β-diketohydrazones with substituted arylhydrazines in acid media, are nonplanar, with the planes of the lateral phenyl rings forming dihedral angles with that of the central pyrazole ring varying from 2.71 (7) to 45.22 (7)°. The crystal structures are supported by C—H...O, C—H...π and π–π weak intermolecular interactions together with some unusual trifurcated C—Cl...Cl—C contacts, which are discussed in detail.

New 3,4,5-trisubstituted isoxazole derivatives with potential biological properties

Eighteen new isoxazole derivatives were synthesized and fully characterized. Their biological activity against Bcl-2, Bax and p21^WAF-1 was tested.

On substituted pyrazole derivatives. I. 3-Methyl-4-[(Z)-2-(4-methylphenyl)hydrazin-1-ylidene]-1-(3-nitrophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one and 3-methyl-4-[(Z)-2-(4-methylphenyl)hydrazin-1-ylidene]-1-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one

The title substituted pyrazole derivatives, C17H15N5O3 and C18H15F3N4O, share most of their molecular features, in particular the hydrazinylidene (-HN-N=) rather than the diazene (-N=N-) tautomeric form, and differ only in the substituents (NO2 and CF3) on one of the outer phenyl rings. The molecular units are basically planar, with the rotation of the phenyl rings being hindered by the presence of two intramolecular hydrogen bonds having the keto O atom as acceptor. In both structures, the packing is governed by weak C-H...O, C-H...π and π-π interactions. The subtle way in which minor structural differences lead to rather different supramolecular structures is analysed.

Dimers linked by type-I C-F···F-C contacts in (Z)-3-methyl-4-[2-(4-methylphenyl)hydrazinylidene]-1-(pentafluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one

The title compound, C17H11F5N4O, is described and compared with two closely related analogues in the literature. There are two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit, linked by N-H···O hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions into dimeric entities, presenting a noticeable noncrystallographic C2 symmetry. These dimers are in turn linked by a medium-strength type-I C-F···F-C interaction into elongated tetramers. Much weaker C-H···F contacts link the tetramers into broad two-dimensional substructures parallel to (101).

3,5-Dimethyl-4-[(E)-(2-nitrophenyl)diazenyl]-1-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazole

The title compound, C(17)H(10)F(5)N(5)O(2), is described and compared with its 4-nitrophenyl isomer [Bustos, Sánchez, Schott, Alvarez-Thon & Fuentealba (2007). Acta Cryst. E63, o1138-o1139]. The title molecule presents its nitro group split into two rotationally disordered components, which in conjunction with the rotation of the `unclamped' rings constitute the main molecular differences. Packing is directed by a head-to-tail type `I' C-F...F-C interaction, generating double-chain strips running along [100]. These substructures are interlinked by a variety of weak F...F, O...F, F...π and O...π interactions.

Biophysics of active vesicle transport, an intermediate step that couples excitation and exocytosis of serotonin in the neuronal soma

Transmitter exocytosis from the neuronal soma is evoked by brief trains of high frequency electrical activity and continues for several minutes. Here we studied how active vesicle transport towards the plasma membrane contributes to this slow phenomenon in serotonergic leech Retzius neurons, by combining electron microscopy, the kinetics of exocytosis obtained from FM1-43 dye fluorescence as vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane, and a diffusion equation incorporating the forces of local confinement and molecular motors. Electron micrographs of neurons at rest or after stimulation with 1 Hz trains showed cytoplasmic clusters of dense core vesicles at 1.5±0.2 and 3.7±0.3 µm distances from the plasma membrane, to which they were bound through microtubule bundles. By contrast, after 20 Hz stimulation vesicle clusters were apposed to the plasma membrane, suggesting that transport was induced by electrical stimulation. Consistently, 20 Hz stimulation of cultured neurons induced spotted FM1-43 fluorescence increases with one or two slow sigmoidal kinetics, suggesting exocytosis from an equal number of vesicle clusters. These fluorescence increases were prevented by colchicine, which suggested microtubule-dependent vesicle transport. Model fitting to the fluorescence kinetics predicted that 52–951 vesicles/cluster were transported along 0.60–6.18 µm distances at average 11–95 nms⁻¹ velocities. The ATP cost per vesicle fused (0.4–72.0), calculated from the ratio of the ΔG_process/ΔG_ATP, depended on the ratio of the traveling velocity and the number of vesicles in the cluster. Interestingly, the distance-dependence of the ATP cost per vesicle was bistable, with low energy values at 1.4 and 3.3 µm, similar to the average resting distances of the vesicle clusters, and a high energy barrier at 1.6–2.0 µm. Our study confirms that active vesicle transport is an intermediate step for somatic serotonin exocytosis by Retzius neurons and provides a quantitative method for analyzing similar phenomena in other cell types.

(Z)-1-(2-Chloro-phen-yl)-3-methyl-4-[2-(4-nitro-phen-yl)hydrazin-1-yl-idene]-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one

There are two independent mol­ecules, A and B, in the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C₁₆H₁₂ClN₅O₃. The relative orientations of the chloro­phenyl ring with respect to the pyrazole ring in the two crystallographically independent mol­ecules are different, and their corresponding dihedral angles are −53.3 (2) and 114.09 (18)° in mol­ecules A and B, respectively. There are two strong intramolecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, and two weak intramolecular C—H⋯O and C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds. The crystal packing is constructed by weak C—H⋯O and N—H⋯O inter­actions, and two π–π stacking inter­actions [centroid–centroid distances = 3.7894 (9) and 3.5719 (10) Å], forming a mol­ecular ladder along the a axis.

Daptomycin lock therapy for grampositive long-term catheter-related bloodstream infections

INTRODUCTION

To evaluate the efficacy of Daptomycin (DPT) lock therapy in the treatment of Grampositive long-term catheter-related bloodstream infections (LT-CRBI).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of all patients receiving DPT lock therapy for the treatment of LT-CRBI from December 2009 to May 2010 was conducted. The primary endpoint used in this study was failure to cure the episode of LT-CRBI. Cure was defined as fever disappearance, negative blood cultures within 1 month after the end of treatment, and catheter salvage.

RESULTS

Thirteen subjects (seven men, mean age 62 years) were evaluated. There were six Staphylococcus epidermidis, two Staphylococcus hominis, one Staphylococcus haemolyticus, two Enterococcus faecalis and two polymicrobial (S. epidermidis and S. hominis) bloodstream infections. DPT lock therapy was administered for a mean of 14 days (interquartilic range 10-14). Intravenous DPT was administered in nine patients for a mean of 10 days (interquartilic range 5-11). Clinical cure and blood culture sterilisation occurred in 11 of 13 patients (85%). Two patients had fever during treatment and catheters were removed. Median length of follow-up in patients with therapeutic success was 67 days (interquartilic range 14-88).

CONCLUSION

DPT lock therapy demonstrated good in vivo efficacy in LT-CRBI caused by coagulase negative staphylococci and Enterococcus species.

(E)-3,5-Dimethyl-1-p-tolyl-4-(p-tolyl-diazen-yl)-1H-pyrazole

There are two independent mol­ecules, A and B, in the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C₁₉H₂₀N₄, in each of which the N=N double bond has an E conformation. The dihedral angles between the pyrazole ring and the p-tolyl rings in the 1- and 4-positions are 22.54 (8) and 35.73 (7)°, respectively, in mol­ecule A. The corresponding dihedral angles in mol­ecule B are 28.13 (8) and 22.18 (8)°. In the crystal, the A and B mol­ecules are linked by weak C—H⋯π inter­actions, leading to inversion dimers in each case.

2-[2-(4-Acetyl-phen-yl)hydrazinyl-idene]-1,3-diphenyl-propane-1,3-dione

In the title compound, C(23)H(18)N(2)O(3), the inter-planar angle between the benzoyl units is 80.51 (6)° while the dihedral angles between the hydrazinyl-idene and benzoyl groups are 43.43 (6) and 54.16 (6)°. In the crystal, a strong resonance-assisted intra-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bond is observed. The mol-ecules form an inversion dimer via a pair of weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and a π-π inter-action [centroid-centroid distance of 3.5719 (10) Å]. These dimers are linked via weak C-H⋯O contacts, forming chains along the b axis.

2-[2-(4-Nitrophenyl)hydrazinylidene]-1,3-diphenylpropane-1,3-dione

In the mol­ecular structure of the title compound, C₂₁H₁₅N₃O₄, the inter­planar angle between the benzoyl units is 89.7 (1)°. The corresponding angles between the phenyl­hydrazono and the benzoyl groups are 31.4 (3) and 60.8 (2)°, respectively. In the crystal, a strong resonance-assisted intra­molecular hydrogen bond (N—H⋯O) and a weak intra­molecular hydrogen bond (C—H⋯N) strongly affect the observed conformation of the mol­ecule. The crystal packing is determined by a strong inter­molecular hydrogen bond (N—H⋯O), giving rise to a helical chain along the a axis. In addition, two weak inter­molecular contacts (C—H⋯O) are observed.

(Acetylacetonato)dibromido[2,2-diphenylhydrazin-1-ido(1−)][2,2-diphenylhydrazin-1-ido(2−)]molybdenum(VI)

In the title compound, [MoBr₂(C₁₂H₁₁N₂)(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)(C₅H₇O₂)], the Mo^VI atom is six-coordinated in a distorted octa­hedral geometry by two N atoms from the diphenyl­hydrazide(1−) and diphenyl­hydrazide(2−) ligands, two O atoms from a bidentate acetyl­acetonate ligand and two Br⁻ ions. The mol­ecules form an inversion dimer via a pair of weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and a π–π stacking inter­action with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.7401 (12) Å. Weak intra­molecular C—H⋯Br inter­actions and an intra­molecular π–π stacking inter­action with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.8118 (15) Å are also observed.

2-[2-(3-Chloro-phen-yl)hydrazinyl-idene]-1,3-diphenyl-propane-1,3-dione

The mol-ecular structure of the title compound, C(21)H(15)ClN(2)O(2), features one strong intra-molecular N-H⋯O resonance-assisted hydrogen bond (RAHB). In the crystal, mol-ecules form inversion-related dimers via pairs of weak inter-molecular N-H⋯O contacts. These dimers are further stabilized via three weak C-H⋯O contacts, developing the three-dimensional structure.

2-[2-(4-Bromo-phen-yl)hydrazinyl-idene]-1,3-diphenyl-propane-1,3-dione

The conformation of the title mol­ecule, C₂₁H₁₅BrN₂O₂, is stabilized by a weak intra­molecular C—H⋯N hydrogen bond and a strong resonance-assisted N—H⋯O intra­molecular hydrogen bond. In the crystal, the mol­ecules are linked by weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O inter­actions, forming zigzag chains along the b axis.

Effect of primary polychemotherapy after sentinel lymph node biopsy on the necessity for lymphadenectomy in stage II breast cancer patients

e11589

Background: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is the standard procedure for assessing axillary status in stage I-II breast cancer patients. Realizing this procedure before the administration of primary polichemotherapy would reduce the number of unnecesary lymphadenectomy in patients with negative sentinel lymph node. Methods: From January 2006 to May 2008, twenty-one patients with breast cancer on stage II-IIIA were included in the study. The median age was of 49 years (range 22–74y). The median palpable tumour size was of 3.5cm (range 1.8–6.0) and by ultrasonography 2.0cm (range 1.8–5.0cm.). Stage II:19 and Stage III:2 (cT:6.0cm.). Breast biopsy was performed in all cases with: IDC:20. G1:9 (42,8%), G:2:11(52%) and G3:1(4,76%). ER+:18 (85,7%), PR+:13 (61,9%), HER2 (+):6 (28,5) and triple negative:3 (14,2%).The scheme of treatment was: 4Epi: 90mg/M2 and Cyclophosphamide 600mg/M2 day 1/3w/4cycles, followed by paclitaxel (P) 100mg/M2 day 1/wekly/8. Trastuzumab was given during one year 4/2mg/Kg and started with (P). Tumorectomy and limphadenectomy was planned, followed by radiotherapy ± Hormonotherapy ± trastuzumab. Results: The 21 patients were evaluable for the analysis. The median sentinel lymph nodes resected was of 2 (range 2–6). The SLN biopsy was positive in 12 (57,1%) cases and negative in 9 (42,8%). Followed the primary chemotherapy, tumorectomy and axillary lymphadenectomy (AL) were performed in all 21 cases. The 12 positive SLN showed in the AL 9/12 (75%) pN0 and the 9 negative SLN showed in the AL 0/9 (0%) pN1. There were 4/20 (20%) completely pathological tumour response and 4/20 (20%) cases with only isolated malignant cells. The treatment was well tolerated with not a case of grade 3–4 toxicity. Conclusions: The primary chemotherapy given after the biopsy of sentinel lymph node was very effective showing in the lymphadenectomy a high percentage of pathologic negative lymph nodes (9/12) and an overall tumour response of 40% (8/20) with 4/20 (20%) completely pathological response and 4/20 (20%) cases with only isolated malignant cells.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

[Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in patients with chronic heart failure]

BACKGROUND

In chronic heart failure (CHF), endothelial dysfunction (ED) is a consequence of an imbalance of vascular tone regulating substances. The relationship between ED and inflammation has not been fully investigated.

AIM

To assess the association between inflammation and ED in CHF.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty two patients aged 56+/-14 years (80% male) with a CHF in functional capacity II-III (New York Heart Association) and an ejection fraction (FE) <40% were consecutively studied. Patients were classified according to the presence or absence of ED, evaluated by reactive vasodilation measured by ultrasound, after brachial artery compression. Circulating levels of highly sensitive C reactive protein (usCRP), tumor necrosis factor a (TNFá) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined by ELISA. A group of 15 healthy subjects of similar age, were studied as controls.

RESULTS

Sixty seven percent of patients had ED. Compared to controls, patients with CHF had higher usCRP (0.58+/-0.4 and 4.9+/-7.1 mg/dl respectively, p <0.01) and IL-6 (1.38+/-0.06 and 3.1+/-1.7 mg/dl respectively, p <0.01). Compared to patients without ED, patients with CHF and ED had higher levels of usCRP (3.0+/-0.4 and 6.0+/-5.7 mg/dl respectively, p <0.01) and TNFá (0.31+/-0.26 and 1.0+/-1.1 pg/ml, p =0.02). No differences in IL-6 were found between CHF groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In CHF patients, the presence of ED was associated with increased levels of inflammatory markers.

Comparison of bioreactors with different kinds of submerged packed beds for domestic wastewater treatment

The performance of aerobic submerged packed bed reactors was studied for the treatment of domestic wastewater using different kinds of packing materials with high specific areas (760-1,200 m(2)/m(3)). The tested materials were ceramic spheres, crushed tezontle, grains of high density polyethylene (HDPE), of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and of polypropylene (PP), cubes of polyurethane (PU) and polyethylene tape (SESSIL). The bioreactors were operated in continuous regime, applying organic loads in the range of 0.8-6.0 g COD.m(-2).d(-1). The obtained specific COD removal rates were very similar in all the reactors when they were operated at organic loads up to 2.0 g COD.m(-2).d(-1), after which differences in effectiveness appeared and the best results were determined in the reactors with SESSIL, LDPE and PU. Very low TSS, O&G and turbidity were obtained in all the effluents. The NH(3)-N and TN removals were dependent on the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration and the removals at DO of 5 mg/l were 84-99% and 61-74% respectively. The best removals were determined in the reactors with PU, SESSIL and LDPE. The reactor with tezontle had also a good performance when operated with loads up to 1.0 g TN.m(-2).d(-1). The best phosphate removals (38-49%) were obtained in the reactors with PU, tezontle, ceramic sheres and SESSIL.

Synthesis, characterization and properties of polymers containing simultaneously the imine and amide moieties

We present the synthesis of polymers by means of self-condensation of ethyl 3-aminophenyl acetate, using HCl as catalyst at high temperature and reduced pressure. This polymer was fractionated by successive precipitation from mixtures of methanol/diethylether of different polarity, yielding three polymeric fractions: Poly A, Poly B and Poly C. Likewise, under the same conditions, 3- aminophenyl acetic acid yields only one polymeric fraction, Poly D. These polymers were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and, in some cases, by 1H-NMR and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The obtained results show that polymers can be classified as hybrid materials, because in the backbone, they contain simultaneously the amide and imine groups and, at the end of the chain, they have amine and carboxylic acid functions. High solubility of some of these polymers in DMF or methanol has permitted the determination of viscosities and the preparation of films. Poly B and Poly C films exhibit amorphous morphology; and Poly D display spherullitic-type semi-crystallization pattern. The polymers can absorb solvents and they can swell up forming large-sized gels in DMF and methanol. Besides these polymers have high thermal stability that reaches a weight loss of 11.60% at 353 °C.

Assessment of breast lesions using Doppler with contrast agents

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use of contrast agents on ultrasound examination of breast lesions and to analyse the capacity of this technique to achieve a differential diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions, using as a pattern a histological study of the lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-two women with suspected malignant breast lesions participated in this randomised prospective study, undergoing a colour Doppler ultrasound (US). The results of the study were measured before and after the use of US contrast agents and were compared with the ones obtained from the histological study of the pieces.

RESULTS

Malignant breast tumours showed, when using US Doppler with contrast agent, a hypervascularity pattern in 78.1% of the cases. The predominant pattern in benign tumours was avascular (11 cases, 64.7%). The intensity of the signal in the first minute was intense in 43.7% or moderate in 40.6% of the cases with malignant tumours versus the benign tumours where no signal was registered in 64.7% of the cases. A marked increase in the sensitivity and the predictive negative value of the ultrasound signal was noted with the use of potentiating substances.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of contrast agents in colour Doppler US studies improve the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions.

[Major depression as a new risk factor for coronary heart disease in Chile]

BACKGROUND

Major depression, a frequent psychiatric disease, is associated with ischemic heart disease. It is usually subdiagnosed and subtreated.

AIM

To study the prevalence of major depression among survivors of an acute myocardial infarction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective study of 42 survivors of an acute myocardial infarction treated at a regional Chilean Hospital. The presence of major depression in the 6 months previous to the acute myocardial infarction, was investigated using the diagnostic instruments CIDI (Composite International Diagnostic Interview) and DIS (Diagnostic Interview Schedule), psychiatric diagnoses were based on DSMIII-R. The prevalence of depression was compared with that observed in a group of 156 healthy subjects participating in a psychiatric epidemiological study.

RESULTS

Major depression was diagnosed in 12 male subjects with an acute myocardial infarction. The prevalence in the control group was significantly lower (15%, p < 0.049). Patients with depression were older and required longer hospital stay than patients without depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with acute myocardial infarction, had a significantly greater prevalence of major depression in the previous 6 months, than the general population. Thus, major depression could be an independent and modifiable coronary risk factor.

Red wine intake prevents nuclear factor-kappaB activation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy volunteers during postprandial lipemia

BACKGROUND

Several epidemiological studies have demonstrated the beneficial effect of red wine intake in reducing total and cardiovascular mortality. This effect has been attributed in part to its antioxidant properties. Because the monocytes/macrophages and the nuclear transcription factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) are implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic lesions, we examined the effect of red wine intake on the activation of NF-kappaB in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Sixteen healthy volunteers were studied 3 times each: after a moderate dose, a low dose, and no wine with a fat-enriched breakfast. Lipid profile and NF-kappaB activation (electrophoretic mobility shift assay) were examined in blood samples taken before and 3, 6, and 9 hours after wine intake. In addition, mononuclear cells were incubated with VLDL in the presence of some antioxidants (quercetin and alpha-tocopherol succinate) contained in red wine to study their effects on NF-kappaB activation. Subjects receiving a fat-enriched breakfast had increased NF-kappaB activation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells coinciding with the augmentation in total triglycerides and chylomicrons. Red wine intake prevented NF-kappaB activity even though it induced a certain increase in serum lipids, particularly VLDL, that did not increase after the fat ingestion alone. However, another form of alcohol intake (vodka) did not modify the NF-kappaB activation provided by postprandial lipemia. In cultured mononuclear cells, isolated human VLDL caused NF-kappaB activation in a time-dependent manner that did not occur in the presence of the red wine antioxidants quercetin and alpha-tocopherol.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide a new potential mechanism to explain the beneficial effects of red wine intake in the reduction of cardiovascular mortality.

Atorvastatin reduces NF-kappaB activation and chemokine expression in vascular smooth muscle cells and mononuclear cells

Cardiovascular mortality, mainly due to the rupture of unstable atherosclerotic plaques, is reduced by 3-hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors. Inflammatory cells, attracted to the vascular lesion by chemokines, have been implicated in the process of the plaque rupture. In cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and U937 mononuclear cells we have studied the effect of Atorvastatin (Atv) on nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity, an inducer of the mRNA expression of chemokines such as interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1). Angiotensin II (Ang II) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) increased NF-kappaB activity in VSMC (2 and 5-fold, respectively). Preincubation of cells with 10(-7) mol/l Atv diminished this activation (44 and 53%). The inhibition was reversed by mevalonate, farnesylpyrophosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranylpyrophosphate (GGPP), but not by other isoprenoids. Coinciding with the NF-kappaB activation in VSMC, there was a diminution of cytoplasmic IkappaB levels that was recovered by pretreatment with Atv. Ang II and TNF-alpha induced the expression of IP-10 (1.5 and 3.4-fold) and MCP-1 (2.4 and 4-fold) in VSMC. Atv reduced this overexpression around 38 and 35% (IP-10), and 54 and 39% (MCP-1), respectively. Our results strongly suggest that Atv, through the inhibition of NF-kappaB activity and chemokine gene expression, could reduce the inflammation within the atherosclerotic lesion and play a role in the stabilization of the lesion.