Cancer treatment represents one of the main scientific study targets today, mainly due to the pronounced side effects arising from chemotherapy. This study reports the synthesis, characterization, and anticancer activity of ten compounds from the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction. Ethylene glycol diacrylate was used as a double Michael acceptor in reactions with isatin derivatives to give homodimers of 3-hydroxyindolin-2-one core, recognized in the literature for its extensive pharmacological profile. The use of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane (DABCO) as a catalyst and room temperature were the optimal conditions for the study reaction. The isolated yields were up to 63%, with most reaction times inferior to 24 h, some as fast as 15 min. The anticancer potential of the synthesized dimers was evaluated in vitro against three cancer strains, resulting in average inhibitory concentrations up to 0.72 µM. It was also found that the best performing homodimers are more active than their monomeric counterparts. Considering the promising selectivity indices observed, the preliminary results obtained here act as a basis for broader tests regarding the effectiveness of homodimeric adducts against cancer cells.

This paper reports the droplet size distribution (DSD) measurements in 28 W/O (water/oil) crude oil emulsions prepared with two Brazilian oils (medium and heavy) under different shear conditions using both 10 g L-1 NaCl solution and water production by low field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR, 2.2 MHz). The PFGSTE (pulsed-field gradient-stimulated echo) pulse sequence applied was able to separate the crude oil emulsion signal for both medium and heavy oil even for low dispersed phase content (1.51 wt.%) and took into account only the aqueous phase signal. All emulsions exhibited an average diameter smaller than 5.5 µm because of the severe shear conditions. Despite the difficult processing of the S24 (6.48 wt.%) emulsion signal, good agreement was achieved between low field NMR and low-angle laser light scattering (LALLS) results. Finally, the paramagnetic ions in the water production did not affect the NMR measurements, demonstrating its applicability for analyzing real emulsions.

RESUMO OBJETIVOS: Os efeitos do teste ortostático sobre o sistema cardiovascular já foram investigados, mas não há dados sobre o comportamento dos índices geométricos de variabilidade da frequência cardíaca. Aqui, foram avaliados os efeitos do teste ortostático ativo nos índices geométricos de variabilidade da frequência cardíaca em mulheres. MÉTODO: O estudo foi realizado em 12 mulheres saudáveis com idades entre 18 e 30 anos. Para a análise da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca, este parâmetro foi registrado batimento a batimento. Os intervalos RR foram transformados em figuras geométricas e, a partir destas, foi calculado o índice triangular, a interpolação triangular dos intervalos RR, o SD1, SD2 e a relacão SD1/SD2, que foram obtidos a partir da plotagem de Poincaré. A análise visual do gráfico foi também realizada. Para o teste, os participantes levantaram-se rapidamente de uma posicão sentada (em 3 segundos ou menos) e permaneceram imóveis, de pé, por 15 minutos. Amostras de variacão de frequência cardíaca foram coletadas em quatro momentos: repouso, 0-5 minutos, 5-10 minutos e 10-15 minutos a pé. RESULTADOS: O índice triangular, a interpolacão triangular dos intervalos RR, o SD1 e SD2 índices apresentaram-se reduzidos (p < 0,05) no intervalo 10-15 minutos depois de os voluntários se levantarem. A relacão SD1/SD2 apresentou-se reduzida durante o intervalo 0-15 minutos depois dos participantes passarem à posicão ortostática. CONCLUSÃO: Os índices geométricos de variabilidade da freqüência cardíaca diminuiram em resposta ao teste ortostático ativo em mulheres saudáveis.

OBJECTIVES: The effects of the orthostatic test on the cardiovascular system have been investigated, but there are no data on the behavior of the geometric indices of heart rate variability. We evaluated the effects of the active orthostatic test on the geometric indices of heart rate variability in women. METHOD: The study was performed on 12 healthy women between ages 18 and 30. For the analysis of heart rate variability, heart rate was recorded beat-to-beat. The RR intervals were transformed into geometric figures, and from these we calculated the triangular index, the triangular interpolation of RR intervals, the SD1, SD2 indexes and the SD1/SD2 ratio, which were obtained from the Poincare´ plot. Visual analysis of the plot was also performed. For the test, participants quickly stood up from a seated position in 3 seconds or less, and remained standing still for 15 minutes. Heart rate variability samples were collected at four moments: rest, 0-5 minutes, 5- 10 minutes and 10-15 minutes at standing position. RESULTS: The triangular index, the triangular interpolation of RR intervals, the SD1 and SD2 indices were reduced (p < 0.05) at 10-15 minutes after the volunteers stood up from seated position. The SD1/SD2 ratio was decreased at 0-15 minutes after the subjects changed from seated to orthostatic position. CONCLUSION: The geometric indices of heart rate variability decreased in response to the active orthostatic test in healthy women.

Echinaster (Othilia) guyanensis Clark, 1987 is an endangered starfish distributed throughout the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean. Even though it has been extensively harvested, little is known about the biology and ecology of this starfish. Here, we examine reproduction seasonality in E. (O.) guyanensis. Individuals were collected monthly for one year, including four complete lunar phases. The gonad index (GI) was calculated to determine annual and monthly reproductive peaks. Gametogenesis stages were also determined. Sex ratio was 1:1.33 (M:F). Gonadosomatic index, body weight, central disc width and arm length were similar for both sexes. Gonads were present in all animals with arm length greater than 36.2 mm. Lunar phase was not associated with E. (O.) guyanensis reproduction. GI and gametogenesis patterns suggest that starfish have an annual reproductive peak with spawning during autumn months (March to May).