Application of Hansch’s Model to Capsaicinoids and Capsinoids: A Study Using the Quantitative Structure−Activity Relationship. A Novel Method for the Synthesis of Capsinoids

We describe a synthetic approach for two families of compounds, the capsaicinoids and capsinoids, as part of a study of the quantitative relationship between structure and activity

Universit\ue0 degli studi di Macerata

Sono illustrati i servizi di orientamento, tutorato e job placement delle 4 Universit\ue0 delle March

Weaving networks in times of distancing: university, organizations and territory

En el artículo se abordan algunas de las acciones y las reflexiones que emergen del trabajo territorial realizado en el marco del Programa Economía Social, Solidaria y Popular (PESSyP) de la Facultad de Ciencias Sociales de la Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNICEN). Las autoras refieren al modo en el que el contexto de pandemia y de distanciamiento ha condicionado las modalidades con las que las organizaciones sociales, políticas, culturales y universitarias habitan el territorio y habilitan intervenciones integrales con los sujetos que allí participan.The article deals with some of the actions and reflections that emerge from the territorial work carried out within the framework of the Social, Solidarity and Popular Economy Program (PESSyP) of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNICEN). The authoress refer to the way in which the context of the pandemic and distancing has conditioned the modalities with which social, political, cultural and university organizations inhabit the territory and enable comprehensive interventions with the social subjects that participate there.Facultad de Periodismo y Comunicación Socia

Weaving networks in times of distancing: university, organizations and territory

En el artículo se abordan algunas de las acciones y las reflexiones que emergen del trabajo territorial realizado en el marco del Programa Economía Social, Solidaria y Popular (PESSyP) de la Facultad de Ciencias Sociales de la Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNICEN). Las autoras refieren al modo en el que el contexto de pandemia y de distanciamiento ha condicionado las modalidades con las que las organizaciones sociales, políticas, culturales y universitarias habitan el territorio y habilitan intervenciones integrales con los sujetos que allí participan.The article deals with some of the actions and reflections that emerge from the territorial work carried out within the framework of the Social, Solidarity and Popular Economy Program (PESSyP) of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNICEN). The authoress refer to the way in which the context of the pandemic and distancing has conditioned the modalities with which social, political, cultural and university organizations inhabit the territory and enable comprehensive interventions with the social subjects that participate there.Facultad de Periodismo y Comunicación Socia

Tuning chelation by the surfactant-like peptide A6H using predetermined pH values

We examine the self-assembly of a peptide A6H comprising a hexa-alanine sequence A6 with a histidine (H) “head group”, which chelates Zn2+ cations. We study the self assembly of A6H and binding of Zn2+ ions in ZnCl2 solutions, under acidic and neutral conditions. A6H self-assembles into nanotapes held together by a β-sheet structure in acidic aqueous solutions. By dissolving A6H in acidic ZnCl2 solutions, the carbonyl oxygen atoms in A6H chelate the Zn2+ ions and allow for β-sheet formation at lower concentrations, consequently reducing the onset concentration for nanotape formation. A6H mixed with water or ZnCl2 solutions under neutral conditions produces short sheets or pseudocrystalline tapes, respectively. The imidazole ring of A6H chelates Zn2+ ions in neutral solutions. The internal structure of nanosheets and pseudocrystalline sheets in neutral solutions is similar to the internal structure of A6H nanotapes in acidic solutions. Our results show that it is possible to induce dramatic changes in the self-assembly and chelation sites of A6H by changing the pH of the solution. However, it is likely that the amphiphilic nature of A6H determines the internal structure of the self-assembled aggregates independent from changes in chelation

A new HPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of quercetin and its derivatives in green coffee beans

Green coffee (Coffee arabica and Coffee robusta) is one of the most commonly traded goods globally. Their beans are enriched with polyphenols and numerous health benefits are associated with their consumption. The main aim of this work was to develop a new and fast analytical HPLC-MS/MS method to simultaneously determine six flavonoid polyphenolic compounds (quercetin, rutin, isorhamnetin, quercetin-3-glucouronide, hyperoside, and quercitrin) in 22 green coffee samples from six different geographical origins (Ethiopia, Brazil, Guatemala, Nicaragua, India and Colombia). In addition, by adjusting pH, temperature, solvent type, and extraction duration, several extraction methods such as acidic and alkaline hydrolysis, and extraction without hydrolysis were evaluated. The optimal extraction procedure in terms of recovery percentages (78.67–94.09%)was acidic hydrolysis at pH 2, extraction temperature of 60 °C, extraction solvent of 70% ethanol, and extraction duration of 1.5 h. Hyperoside (878–75 μg/kg) was the most abundant compound followed by quercitrin (408–38 μg/kg), quercetin (300–36 μg/kg), rutin (238–21 μg/kg), and quercetin-3-glucouronide (225–7 μg/kg), while isorhamnetin (34–3 μg/kg) showed the lowest amount. Overall, green coffee beans are rich in flavonoid polyphenolic compounds and could be used as part of a healthy diet

El comportamiento post-critico de las vigas de acero armadas con chapas delgadas

An advance of expositions concerning the method of ultimate strength or post-critical strength of steel beams reinforced with thin plates is presented. This method is being object of experimental researches at the Applied Mechanics and Structures Institute (IMAE) of the Mathematics and Engineering Faculty, National University, Rosario (Argentina).Se presenta un avance de planteamientos relativos al método de la resistencia última o resistencia post-crítica de vigas de acero armadas con chapas delgadas, el cual está siendo objeto de investigaciones experimentales en el Instituto de Mecánica Aplicada y Estructuras (IMAE) de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas e Ingeniería de la Universidad Nacional de Rosario (República Argentina)

Prolonged higher dose methylprednisolone versus conventional dexamethasone in COVID-19 pneumonia: a randomised controlled trial (MEDEAS)

Background Dysregulated systemic inflammation is the primary driver of mortality in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Current guidelines favour a 7-10-day course of any glucocorticoid equivalent to dexamethasone 6 mg daily. A comparative randomised controlled trial (RCT) with a higher dose and a longer duration of intervention was lacking. Methods We conducted a multicentre, open-label RCT to investigate methylprednisolone 80 mg as a continuous daily infusion for 8 days followed by slow tapering versus dexamethasone 6 mg once daily for up to 10 days in adult patients with COVID-19 pneumonia requiring oxygen or noninvasive respiratory support. The primary outcome was reduction in 28-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were mechanical ventilation-free days at 28 days, need for intensive care unit (ICU) referral, length of hospitalisation, need for tracheostomy, and changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, arterial oxygen tension/inspiratory oxygen fraction (PaO2/FIO2) ratio and World Health Organization Clinical Progression Scale at days 3, 7 and 14. Results 677 randomised patients were included. Findings are reported as methylprednisolone (n=337) versus dexamethasone (n=340). By day 28, there were no significant differences in mortality (35 (10.4%) versus 41 (12.1%); p=0.49) nor in median mechanical ventilation-free days (median (interquartile range (IQR)) 23 (14) versus 24 (16) days; p=0.49). ICU referral was necessary in 41 (12.2%) versus 45 (13.2%) (p=0.68) and tracheostomy in 8 (2.4%) versus 9 (2.6%) (p=0.82). Survivors in the methylprednisolone group required a longer median (IQR) hospitalisation (15 (11) versus 14 (11) days; p=0.005) and experienced an improvement in CRP levels, but not in PaO2/FIO2 ratio, at days 7 and 14. There were no differences in disease progression at the prespecified time-points. Conclusion Prolonged, higher dose methylprednisolone did not reduce mortality at 28 days compared with conventional dexamethasone in COVID-19 pneumonia