The genetic diversity of 29 endophytic bacterial strains isolated from apoplastic sap of the medullary parenchym of the stem of healthy sugarcane plants grown in Cuba was analysed by Two Primers-Ramdom Amplified Polymorphic DNA fingerprinting (TP-RAPD) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The strains were distributed into 17 groups on the basis of their TP-RAPD patterns, and a representative strain from each group was subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Analysis of these sequences showed that the isolates belong to a wide variety of phylogenetic groups being closely related to species of genera Bacillus and Staphylococcus from Firmicutes, Microbacterium, Micrococcus and Kokuria from Actinobacteria, Rhizobium and Gluconacetobacter from alpha -Proteobacteria, Comamonas and Xanthomonas from beta-Proteobacteria, and Acinetobacter and Pantoea from gamma-Proteobacteria. These results show the complexity of the bacterial populations present in inner tissues of sugarcane, and indicate the interest and relevance of the studies on microbial diversity to improve our knowledge on the plant endophytic bacterial communities.

The structure of the new withanolide:acnistin B, isolated from Dunalia solanacea, has been established by NMR experiments and the immunosuppressive effects of acnistins A, B and E on human lymphocytes have been measured.

La especie Licania platypus, localmente conocida como “sonzapote” se encuentra ampliamente distribuida en países tropicales. Tradicionalmente, en América Central se han utilizado diferentes partes de la planta para diversos problemas de salud, especialmente gastrointestinales. Objetivo: Investigar la posible actividad antiulcerosa gástrica del extracto etanólico de hojas de Licania platypus. Métodos: Las lesiones gástricas fueron inducidas por los modelos de etanol e indometacina. También, se evaluó el extracto con el modelo modificado de Shay. El extracto se administró por vía oral y se midió el área dañada. Además, se analizaron otros parámetros en el modelo de ligadura pilórica. Resultados: La administración oral de una dosis única del extracto (500 mg/kg) redujo significativamente el área de las lesiones gástricas (p < 0.05) en los modelos de inducción de etanol e indometacina. Además, se observó un incremento significativo en la secreción de moco gástrico en el modelo modificado de Shay (p < 0.05). Conclusión: El extracto etanólico de Licania platypus ejerce un efecto gastroprotector en diferentes modelos de inducción de úlceras agudas. Este trabajo brinda la primera evidencia de especies pertenecientes al género Licania con actividad gastroprotectora y permite promover la realización de estudios para elucidar un mecanismo de acción específico.

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The CRISPR-Cas system discovered in the eighties consists of a series of RNA proteins that signal and messengers of the immune system in prokaryotic organisms to protect against invading antigens of various sources. After the CRISPR-Cas discovery, many research advances were made in the following decades regarding knowledge, techniques, and applications. This showed the system could edit the DNA in an exact and specific manner, which made it very promising to exploit it in various fields, such as the therapeutic field. New therapies of various diseases, industrial applications, food manufacturing, among others, make its impact quite relevant. The following review will focus on the fundamental understanding and implications of CRISPR-Cas techniques has with an ethical and legal view. In addition, to explore some of the applications present and future in the healthcare department, some methods of drug delivery in gene therapy, and new research that is being developed with the CRISPR-Cas technology.

In the last years, the transport and release mechanism of bioactive compounds has been studied. The liposomes are multivesicular systems that enhance the absorption, stability, and transport of these compounds. The glucosamine is an amino-monosaccharide, it has been associated with many biological activities, but its bioavailability and oral stability are very low. For this reason, the glucosamine formulation in liposomal systems is a good alternative. In this paper, the physicochemical characterization of a liposomal formulation based on glucosamine and vitamin D was realized, this formulation is commercialized as a diet supplement. The determination of pH, degrees Brix, refraction index and specific gravity was realized to Redondo et al.; JPRI, 22(2): 1-6, 2018; Article no.JPRI.39746 2 characterize the formulation. On the other hand, the structure, size (diameter) and membrane thickness of the liposomes were measured by microscopic observation. From the formulation analysis, it is possible to affirm that the liposomes are multivesicular structures. Also, the external membrane thickness is higher than the membrane thickness of the encapsulated liposomes, indicating the liposomes could be multilamellar structures. The multilamellar and multivesicular structures are related to a high stability, resulting in a beneficial aspect of the formulation. Additionally, the dimension and structure conformation are related with an efficient encapsulation process of the active components, which are glucosamine and vitamin D. Original Research Article

Licania platypus se distribuye ampliamente en países tropicales. Tradicionalmente, en América Central se ha utilizado para diversos problemas de salud, especialmente gastrointestinales. Objetivo: Investigar la actividad antiulcerosa gástrica y el efecto sobre la motilidad gastrointestinal del extracto acuoso de hojas de Licania platypus. Métodos: El daño gástrico fue inducido con los modelos de etanol e indometacina y se evaluaron otros parámetros en el modelo de ligadura pilórica. Además, se analizó el efecto sobre la motilidad gastrointestinal utilizando rojo de fenol. Resultados: La administración oral del extracto acuosos (1000mg/kg) redujo significativamente el área de las lesiones gástricas (p<0,05) en ambos modelos. Se observó un incremento en el volumen de las secreciones gástricas y en la secreción de moco gástrico, además de una disminución en la acidez total y en la peroxidación lipídica (p<0,05). El extracto acuoso de Licania platypus brinda un efecto gastroprotector en diferentes modelos de inducción de úlceras agudas y una disminución en el vaciamiento gástrico. Las actividades demostradas en este estudio contribuyen con el conocimiento etnofarmacológico atribuido a Licania platypus.