Resumen Antecedentes: El carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) es uno de los cánceres más diagnosticados en todo el mundo. La quimio prevención del CHC se puede lograr utilizando compuestos naturales o sintéticos que reviertan, supriman, detecten o prevengan la progresión del cáncer. Objetivos: En este estudio, se investigó tanto los efectos antiproliferativos como las propiedades luminiscentes de las 2'-hidroxicalconas. Métodos: La viabilidad celular se evaluó usando el ensayo colorimétrico (MTT), los ensayos de espectroscopia y los cálculos DFT se usaron para determinar las propiedades luminiscentes de las 2´-hidroxichalconas. Resultados: Se observaron efectos citotóxicos sobre las líneas celulares del tipo HepG2 y EA.hy926. Dado que la estructura de la 2´-hidroxichalcona puede ser usada como sonda fluorescente, estos compuestos pueden ser útiles en el diagnóstico del cáncer y la localización del tumor, ya que pueden permitir la observación a través de la fluorescencia y la regresión del tumor durante el tratamiento, por lo que son candidatas potenciales como nuevos agentes anticancerígenos que podrían actuar sobre hepatomas humanos. Conclusiones: Este trabajo describe el uso de las 2´-hidroxichalconas como un biomarcador luminiscente específico para células tumorales. También informamos la captación celular de 2'-hidroxicalconas, su distribución celular y los mecanismos que pueden ser responsables de sus efectos citotóxicos.

Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most diagnosed cancers worldwide. Chemoprevention of HCC can be achieved using natural or synthetic compounds that reverse, suppress, detect, or prevent cancer progression. OBJECTIVES: In this study, both the antiproliferative effects and luminescent properties of 2’-hydroxychalcones were evaluated. Methods: Cell viability was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay, spectroscopy assays, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to determine the luminescent properties of 2´-hydroxychalcones. Results: Cytotoxic effects of 2´-hydroxychalcones were observed over the HepG2 and EA.hy926 cells. Since the chalcone moiety could be used as a fluorescent probe, these compounds may be helpful in cancer diagnosis and tumor localization. They may enable tumor observation and regression through the fluorescence during treatment; therefore, the compounds are a potential candidate as novel anticancer agents acting on human hepatomas. Conclusions: This report describes the chalcones’ use as a specific luminescent biomarker in tumor cells. We also report the cellular uptake of 2’-hydroxychalcones, their cellular distribution, and the mechanisms that may be responsible for their cytotoxic effects.

Chalcones are open chain molecules precursors of flavonoids and isoflavonoids, found spread in edible plants. Because they are easily accessible trough Claisen Shmidt condensation, a great variety of derivatives are available. They have also shown potential in pharmacological and biological applications. It is known that chalcone derivatives display a role in the treatment of complex diseases such as cancer, among others, where the DNA is considered as the target for the action of these kinds of compounds. This action is commonly explained as the inhibition of the DNA replications and transcriptions through interactions. However, not conclusive associations between these DNA-Drug interactions and toxicity have been found. This research focuses on the capacity of a chalcone`s family to interact with DNA. Therefore, the binding constants for each compounds with Calf Thymus DNA [CT-DNA] were determined by spectrophotometric titration at room temperature. In addition, the effect of increasing the chalcone`s concentration over the relative viscosity of CT-DNA at room temperature was assessed. On the other hand, with the aim to find the optimal DNA-chalcone configurations, as well as consistently predict their binding, a computational work was undertaken. To accomplish these goals within a reasonable time framework, an empirical scoring function (AScore) and a docking engine (ShapeDock) were performed using the ArgusLab package. The results of viscosity and docking measurement provided structural insights which suggest that chalcones bind with DNA via interaction as well as intercalation. The presence of interactions is also evidenced by the spectrophotometric study which showed luminescence quenching of the chalcones upon interaction with CT-DNA.

The research was conducted from March to July 2005 in order to determine the capacity of removing fecal coliform bacteria (FCB) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) at "La Totora" Residual Waters Treatment Plant (RWTP) in the city of Ayacucho, Perú. Analyses were performed at the microbiology laboratory of the plant, where 70 water samples were analyzed. In order to quantify FCB, the Multiple Tube Fermentation (MTF) technique was employed and for BOD5, respirometry was used. With the results we calculated the percentage of FCB removal and BOD5 using the following formula: Removal% = [(C affluent-C effluent) / C tributary]x 100. The ability of BCF removal at "Totora" RWTP was 99.9850%, evacuating effluents with an average amount of 1.29 x 105 MPN/100 ml. This is poor, because to achieve an average amount of <103 MPN / 100 ml of BCF (Class III waters, General Law on Waters, DL 17752) RWTP should have a capacity of the removal of 99.9999%. BOD5 removal was 86.2%, with 46.35 mg / l evacuating effluents. This is also poor in relation to what is stated in the General Law on Waters. DL 17752 for Class III waters, which establishes a maximum concentration of 15 mg / l. In order to attain this concentration a removal of about 95.5947% would be required.

La investigación se realizó entre los meses de Marzo a Julio del 2005 para determinar la capacidad de remoción de bacterias coliformes fecales (BCF) y la demanda bioquímica de oxígeno (DBO5) de la Planta de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales (PTAR) "La Totora" de la ciudad de Ayacucho. Los análisis se realizaron en el laboratorio de Microbiología de la misma planta; donde se analizaron 70 muestras de agua. Para la cuantificación de la población de BCF, se aplicó la técnica de Tubos Múltiples de Fermentación (NMP); y el método respirométrico para determinar la DBO5. Con los resultados obtenidos, se calculó el porcentaje de remoción de BCF y DBO5 aplicando la siguiente fórmula: % Remoción = [(C afluente -C efluente)/C afluente] x 100. La capacidad de remoción de BCF de la PTAR "La Totora" fue del 99.9850%, evacuando efluentes con una cantidad en promedio de 1.29 x 105 NMP/100 ml, siendo deficiente, pues para alcanzar una cantidad promedio de <103 NMP/100 ml de BCF (agua de clase III, Ley General de Aguas D.L. 17752) se requiere que la PTAR tenga una capacidad de remoción del orden del 99.9999%; en tanto que la remoción de la DBO5 fue de 86.2%, evacuando efluentes con 46.35 mg/l, proceso deficiente en relación a lo estipulado por la Ley General de Aguas D.L. 17752 para aguas de clase III, que establece una concentración máxima de 15 mg/l que para alcanzar esta concentración serìa necesario una remociòn del orden del 95.5947%.

The cochineal insect, Dactylopius coccus Costa (Homoptera: Dactylopiidae), grows on the prickly-pear cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (Cactaceae), and is exploited for its capacity to produce natural dyes based on carminic acid. Cochineal insects were introduced in Chile in 1989, and exports of dry cochineal began in 1994 and grew to cover approximately 15% of the world market. However, the current price of dry cochineal is nearing production costs; hence, it has become necessary to increase yields without increasing costs. This work reports on the effect of biotic factors on the concentration of carminic acid (CAC) in cochineal insects. CAC was positively affected by the density of cochineal insects around the insect, that was analyzed by plant age, and by the nutritional status of the plant, and was negatively affected by the age of the cladode. Additionally, CAC was significantly affected by season: 16.9% of dry weight in the Autumn and 19.1% in the Spring. This knowledge may be used in designing cultural strategies to increase carminic acid accumulation in cochineal insects.

La cochinilla, Dactylopius coccus Costa (Homoptera: Dactylopiidae), es un insecto que crece sobre la tuna, Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (Cactaceae), y es explotado por su capacidad para producir colorantes naturales basados en el ácido carmínico. La cochinilla fue introducida a Chile en 1989. Las exportaciones de cochinilla seca se iniciaron en 1994 y los volúmenes y montos se elevaron de manera significativa año a año, hasta alcanzar a cubrir más del 15% de la demanda mundial. Sin embargo, el precio actual de la cochinilla se acerca a los costos de producción, siendo necesario aumentar los rendimientos sin aumentar los costos. En este trabajo se describe el efecto de diversas variables bióticas sobre la concentración de ácido carmínico (CAC), la que fue afectada positivamente por la densidad de cochinillas en torno a la cochinilla focal, la edad y el estado nutricional de la planta, y negativamente por la edad del cladodio. La estación afectó significativamente la CAC: 16,9 % del peso seco de cochinilla en otoño y 19,1 % en primavera. Estos conocimientos abren la puerta para el diseño de estrategias de manejo que conduzcan a un incremento de la CAC en la cochinilla.

The theoretical global and local electrophilicity patterns of substituted and chelated 4-oxo-4H-benzopyran-3-carbaldehydes (formylchromones) have been evaluated using the electrophilicity index proposed by Parr et al [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1999, 121, 1922]. The complexation of formylchromones with aluminum predicts a strong electrophilic character of these compounds against nucleophiles. Local response at the active sites may also be assessed in terms of a global contribution described by the global electrophilicity, and a local contribution described by the variations in electrophilic Fukui function at those sites. The highest local electrophilicity is found at the formyl group of the chelated formylchromones, in spite of that, the highest positive charge is located on the pyrone carbonyl group. This result is consistent with the experimental observed reactivity displayed by 4-oxo-4H-benzopyran-3-carbaldehydes in the presence of 2-propanol and alumina

Experimental tests were conducted with the lizard Liolaemus tenuis (Tropiduridae), to determine the potential sources of pheromones used in its chemical communication, centered in the phenomenon of self-recognition. During the post-reproductive season, feces of both sexes and secretions of precloacal pores (present only in males) were tested. Stimuli were presented to lizards spread on rocks, and the number of tongue-flicks (TF) to the rocks was used as a bioassay to determine pheromone recognition. Feces contained pheromones involved in self-recognition, since lizards showed less TF confronted to rocks with suspensions of their own feces than with suspensions of feces of conspecifics or with water (control). In order to assess the chemical nature of self-recognition pheromones, feces were submitted to a sequential extraction with three solvents of increasing polarity, thereby obtaining three feces fractions. There were no differences in TF towards rocks with different fractions with own feces. Additionally, lizards showed similar TF to rocks with fractions of own and conspecific feces, suggesting that the separation procedure broke up a complex stimulus into parts that were not active individually as pheromones. Finally, males did not discriminate between precloacal secretions from themselves and from another male. It is possible that these secretions convey information relevant to or detectable by females only

Se realizaron pruebas experimentales con la especie Liolaemus tenuis (Tropiduridae), para determinar las potenciales fuentes de feromonas usadas en su comunicación química. El estudio se centró en el fenómeno de auto-reconocimiento. Durante la estación post-reproductiva, las fecas de ambos sexos y las secreciones precloacales (presentes sólo en machos) fueron probadas. Los estímulos fueron presentados a los lagartos esparcidos sobre rocas, y el número de lamidos (TF) a la roca fue utilizado como un bioensayo para determinar reconocimiento de feromonas. Las fecas contienen feromonas involucradas en auto-reconocimiento, ya que los lagartos realizaron menos TF confrontados con rocas con suspensiones de fecas propias que de un conespecífico o con agua (control). Con el objeto de evaluar la naturaleza química de las feromonas de auto-reconocimiento, las fecas fueron sometidas a una extracción secuencial con tres solventes de polaridad creciente, obteniéndose así tres fracciones de fecas. No existió diferencia en el número de TF hacia las distintas fracciones de fecas. Mas aún, los lagartos no mostraron diferencias en TF cuando fueron expuestos a fracciones fecales propias y de conespecíficos. Esto sugiere que el procedimiento de separación disgregó un estímulo complejo en partes que no son activas individualmente. Finalmente, los machos no discriminaron entre secreciones precloacales de ellos mismos y de otros machos. Probablemente estas secreciones sean portadoras de información relevante o detectable sólo por hembras