Age-dependent changes in phagocytic activity: in vivo response of mouse pulmonary antigen presenting cells to direct lung delivery of charged PEGDA nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: Current needle-based vaccination for respiratory viruses is ineffective at producing sufficient, long-lasting local immunity in the elderly. Direct pulmonary delivery to the resident local pulmonary immune cells can create long-term mucosal responses. However, criteria for drug vehicle design rules that can overcome age-specific changes in immune cell functions have yet to be established. RESULTS: Here, in vivo charge-based nanoparticle (NP) uptake was compared in mice of two age groups (2- and 16-months) within the four notable pulmonary antigen presenting cell (APC) populations: alveolar macrophages (AM), interstitial macrophages (IM), CD103+ dendritic cells (DCs), and CD11b+ DCs. Both macrophage populations exhibited preferential uptake of anionic nanoparticles but showed inverse rates of phagocytosis between the AM and IM populations across age. DC populations demonstrated preferential uptake of cationic nanoparticles, which remarkably did not significantly change in the aged group. Further characterization of cell phenotypes post-NP internalization demonstrated unique surface marker expression and activation levels for each APC population, showcasing heightened DC inflammatory response to NP delivery in the aged group. CONCLUSION: The age of mice demonstrated significant preferences in the charge-based NP uptake in APCs that differed greatly between macrophages and DCs. Carefully balance of the targeting and activation of specific types of pulmonary APCs will be critical to produce efficient, age-based vaccines for the growing elderly population.

Bridging the gender gap in autoimmunity with T-cell-targeted biomaterials.

Autoimmune diseases are caused by malfunctions of the immune system and generally impact women at twice the frequency of men. Many of the most serious autoimmune diseases are accompanied by a dysregulation of T-cell phenotype, both regarding the ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ T-cells and proinflammatory versus regulatory phenotypes. Biomaterials, in the form of particles and hydrogels, have shown promise in ameliorating this dysregulation both in vivo and ex vivo. In this review, we explore the role of T-cells in autoimmune diseases, particularly those with high incidence rates in women, and evaluate the promise and efficacy of innovative biomaterial-based approaches for targeting T-cells.

Efectividad de la intervención educativa para prevenir el embarazo y enfermedades de transmisión sexual / Effectiveness of educational intervention to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases / Eficácia da intervenção educacional para prevenir a gravidez e as doenças sexualmente transmissíveis

La salud sexual y reproductiva, el embarazo en la adolescencia y las infecciones de trasmisión sexual, son temas tratados en salud pública, adicionalmente cuentan con disímiles estrategias que buscan la reducción del embarazo en adolescentes e infecciones de transmisión sexual. Objetivo. Determinar la efectividad de la intervención educativa en la disminución del embarazo y las enfermedades de trasmisión sexual en adolescentes perteneciente a la Unidad Educativa Guillermo Ordóñez Gómez, de la Provincia de Santa Elena, en Ecuador en el periodo de2021-2022. Materiales y Métodos. Se realizó un estudio cuasi- experimental, con una población de 148 estudiantes, de la cual se consideró la muestra de forma aleatoria simple quedando establecida en 74 estudiantes de 1ro de Bachillerato General Unificado y 48 estudiantes de 2do. Primero se realizó un análisis preliminar (Etapa inicial) que permitió determinar cuál fue la situación inicial y el grado de información de las adolescentes. Resultados. El 51% tenían 15 años. Según la localidad la zona urbana con un 52% y la zona rural con un 48%. el 89% refirieron tener conocimientos y el 3% tal vez, en relación al preservativo masculino el 63% mencionaron que sí conocen, el 32% respondieron no conocerlo, y la satisfacción de los estudiantes con la información recibida, fue del 50% de los beneficiarios se sintieron muy satisfecho con la información recibidas, el 30% de los estudiantes satisfechos, mientras que el 20% de forma neutral. Conclusiones. La intervención educativa resultó adecuada, ya que incrementó el nivel de conocimiento de los adolescentes con respecto a los temas de Salud Sexual y Salud Reproductiva para la prevención de embarazo y enfermedades de transmisión sexual y existió un nivel satisfacción con la información recibida.

Sexual and reproductive health, adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections are topics addressed in public health, and there are also different strategies aimed at reducing adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Objective. To determine the effectiveness of the educational intervention in the reduction of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases in adolescents belonging to the Guillermo Ordóñez Gómez Educational Unit, in the Province of Santa Elena, Ecuador, during the period of 21-21-2022. Materials and Methods. A quasi-experimental study was carried out with a population of 148 students, from which the sample was considered in a simple random way, being established in 74 students of 1st grade of General Unified High School and 48 students of 2nd grade. First, a preliminary analysis (initial stage) was carried out to determine the initial situation and the degree of information of the adolescents. Results. Fifty-one percent were 15 years old. According to the locality of the urban area with 52% and the rural area with 48%, 89% reported having knowledge and 3% maybe, in relation to the male condom 63% mentioned that they do know, 32% responded that they did not know, and the satisfaction of the students with the information received was 50% of the beneficiaries were very satisfied with the information received, 30% of the students were satisfied, while 20% were neutral. Conclusions. The educational intervention was adequate, since it increased the level of knowledge of adolescents regarding the topics of Sexual and Reproductive Health for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases and there was a level of satisfaction with the information received.

A saúde sexual e reprodutiva, a gravidez na adolescência e as infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (ISTs) são tópicos abordados na saúde pública, com uma variedade de estratégias destinadas a reduzir a gravidez na adolescência e as ISTs. Objetivo. Determinar a eficácia da intervenção educativa na redução da gravidez na adolescência e das infecções sexualmente transmissíveis em adolescentes pertencentes à Unidade Educacional Guillermo Ordóñez Gómez, na Província de Santa Elena, Equador, durante o período de 21-21-2022. Materiais e métodos. Foi realizado um estudo quase experimental com uma população de 148 alunos, dos quais a amostra foi considerada uma amostra aleatória simples de 74 alunos do 1º ano do Ensino Médio Geral Unificado e 48 alunos do 2º ano. Primeiramente, foi realizada uma análise preliminar (etapa inicial) para determinar a situação inicial e o grau de informação dos adolescentes. Resultados. Cinquenta e um por cento tinham 15 anos de idade. De acordo com a localidade da área urbana com 52% e a área rural com 48%. 89% relataram ter conhecimento e 3% talvez, em relação ao preservativo masculino 63% mencionaram que sabiam, 32% responderam que não sabiam, e a satisfação dos alunos com as informações recebidas foi de 50% dos beneficiários estavam muito satisfeitos com as informações recebidas, 30% dos alunos estavam satisfeitos, enquanto 20% eram neutros. Conclusões. A intervenção educativa foi adequada, pois aumentou o nível de conhecimento dos adolescentes em relação aos temas de Saúde Sexual e Reprodutiva para a prevenção de gravidez e doenças sexualmente transmissíveis, e houve um nível de satisfação com as informações recebidas.

Single and Multiple Stimuli-Responsive Polymer Particles for Controlled Drug Delivery.

Polymers that can change their properties in response to an external or internal stimulus have become an interesting platform for drug delivery systems. Polymeric nanoparticles can be used to decrease the toxicity of drugs, improve the circulation of hydrophobic drugs, and increase a drug's efficacy. Furthermore, polymers that are sensitive to specific stimuli can be used to achieve controlled release of drugs into specific areas of the body. This review discusses the different stimuli that can be used for controlled drug delivery based on internal and external stimuli. Internal stimuli have been defined as events that evoke changes in different characteristics, inside the body, such as changes in pH, redox potential, and temperature. External stimuli have been defined as the use of an external source such as light and ultrasound to implement such changes. Special attention has been paid to the particular chemical structures that need to be incorporated into polymers to achieve the desired stimuli response. A current trend in this field is the incorporation of several stimuli in a single polymer to achieve higher specificity. Therefore, to access the most recent advances in stimuli-responsive polymers, the focus of this review is to combine several stimuli. The combination of different stimuli is discussed along with the chemical structures that can produce it.

Novel Silver-Platinum Nanoparticles for Anticancer and Antimicrobial Applications.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a disease with an enormous worldwide impact. One of the fatal complications in cancer patients are bacterial opportunistic infections. The use of chemotherapeutic drugs made cancer remission more frequent and prolonged patient survival, but, increased the risk of infections. PURPOSE: Address the current problem with growing pandemic cancer and considering high risks of complications with bacterial infections, the present study synthesized novel dendritic assembly of silver (Ag)-platinum (Pt) nanoparticles. METHODS: Nanoparticles were characterized by TEM analysis, and the composition was confirmed by EDX. Bacterial studies were performed for Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram-negative multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli. Cell experiments were performed with two different cancer cell lines, glioblastoma and melanoma to determine anticancer activity. Finally, cytotoxicity with fibroblast was tested. RESULTS: The TEM analysis of silver-platinum (AgPt) nanoparticles showed dendrimer shape nanoparticles with a mean size of 42 ± 11nm. Elemental composition was analyzed by EDX, confirming the presence of both Ag and Pt metals. The synthesized nanoparticles significantly inhibited the growth of medically important pathogenic, Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram-negative multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli. Bactericidal effect of AgPt nanoparticles had greater effectiveness than silver nanoparticles. MTS assay revealed a selective and dose-dependent anticancer activity of AgPt nanoparticles over cancer cell lines glioblastoma and melanoma in the 10-250 µg/mL concentration range. Cytotoxicity experiments with fibroblast cells showed no side effects of nanoparticles against healthy cells at a range of concentrations from 10-50 µg/mL. CONCLUSION: The newly synthesized AgPt nanoparticles have a promising future as a potent anticancer agent with antibacterial properties.

EEG Classification During Scene Free-Viewing for Schizophrenia Detection.

Currently, the diagnosis of schizophrenia is made solely based on interviews and behavioral observations by a trained psychiatrist. Technologies such as electroencephalography (EEG) are used for differential diagnosis and not to support the psychiatrist's positive diagnosis. Here, we show the potential of EEG recordings as biomarkers of the schizophrenia syndrome. We recorded EEG while schizophrenia patients freely viewed natural scenes, and we analyzed the average EEG activity locked to the image onset. We found significant differences between patients and healthy controls in occipital areas approximately 500 ms after image onset. These differences were used to train a classifier to discriminate the schizophrenia patients from the controls. The best classifier had 81% sensitivity for the detection of patients and specificity of 59% for the detection of controls, with an overall accuracy of 71%. These results indicate that EEG signals from a free-viewing paradigm discriminate patients from healthy controls and have the potential to become a tool for the psychiatrist to support the positive diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Small Saccades and Image Complexity during Free Viewing of Natural Images in Schizophrenia.

In schizophrenia, patients display dysfunctions during the execution of simple visual tasks such as antisaccade or smooth pursuit. In more ecological scenarios, such as free viewing of natural images, patients appear to make fewer and longer visual fixations and display shorter scanpaths. It is not clear whether these measurements reflect alterations in their proficiency to perform basic eye movements, such as saccades and fixations, or are related to high-level mechanisms, such as exploration or attention. We utilized free exploration of natural images of different complexities as a model of an ecological context where normally operative mechanisms of visual control can be accurately measured. We quantified visual exploration as Euclidean distance, scanpaths, saccades, and visual fixation, using the standard SR-Research eye tracker algorithm (SR). We then compared this result with a computation that includes microsaccades (EM). We evaluated eight schizophrenia patients and corresponding healthy controls (HC). Next, we tested whether the decrement in the number of saccades and fixations, as well as their increment in duration reported previously in schizophrenia patients, resulted from the increasing occurrence of undetected microsaccades. We found that when utilizing the standard SR algorithm, patients displayed shorter scanpaths as well as fewer and shorter saccades and fixations. When we employed the EM algorithm, the differences in these parameters between patients and HC were no longer significant. On the other hand, we found that image complexity plays an important role in exploratory behaviors, demonstrating that this factor explains most of differences between eye-movement behaviors in schizophrenia patients. These results help elucidate the mechanisms of visual motor control that are affected in schizophrenia and contribute to the finding of adequate markers for diagnosis and treatment for this condition.

Meningoencephalitis by Naegleria fowleri: epidemiological study in Anzoategui state, Venezuela.

A case of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis produced by Naegleria fowleri was diagnosed in the Independencia county of Anzoategui State, Venezuela. This case motivated the realization of the present epidemiological study with the aim of identifying free-living amoebae in this area. Representative water samples were taken and physicochemical and microbiologic analyses were carried out. Trophozoites and cysts of Naegleria spp, were detected in 44.4% (n=4). An excellent concordance was found among the observations of free-living amoebae in smears and those of monoxenic cultures in non-nourishing agar with Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kappa=1; p= 0.003). A variable load of aerobic mesophils was obtained. Moulds and yeast averages presented 3.0 CFU/ml (SD +/- 2.0) and 102.9 CFU/ml (SD +/- 32.2), respectively. One hundred per cent of the samples presented a most probable number of total and fecal coliforms of 240,000 NMP/100mL. Naegleria spp was present in waters of the Independence county of Anzoategui state, which constitutes a risk for people that use these sources.

Meningoencephalitis by Naegleria fowleri: epidemiological study in Anzoategui state, Venezuela

Um caso de meningoencefalite amebiana primária, causada por Naegleria fowleri, foi diagnosticada no município de Independência no Estado de Anzoategui, Venezuela. Este caso motivou a realização deste estudo epidemiológico com o objetivo de identificar amebas de vida livre nessa área. Foram colhidas amostras representativas de água e realizadas análises fisicoquímicas e microbiológicas. Trofozoítos e cistos de Naegleria spp foram detectados em 44,4% (n=4). Verificou-se excelente concordância entre a observação das amebas de vida livre em esfregaços e aquelas de culturas monoxênicas em ágar não nutriente com Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kappa=1; p=0,003). Obteve-se uma carga variável de microrganismos mesófilos aeróbicos. As médias de mofos e leveduras foram de 3,0 CFU/ml (SD+2,0) e 102,9 CFU/ml(SD+32,2), respectivamente. Cem por cento das amostras apresentaram um número maior provável de coliformes totais e fecais de 240.000 NMP/100ml. Naegleria spp estava presente nas águas do município de Independência no Estado de Anzoategui, o que constitui um risco para a população que usa essas fontes.

Treatment of 125 sinonasal tumors: prognostic factors, outcome, and follow-up.

We reviewed our experience with sinonasal cancer patients to assess the prognostic factors. Between 1974 and 1995, we enrolled 125 patients (58 + 16 years [mean age + SD]; 94 males and 31 females). Tumor stage distribution was: T1, 64 patients; T2, 36 patients; and T3, 25 patients. Surgery as a primary treatment was selected for 106 patients (55 cases of surgery alone, 40 cases of surgery plus radiotherapy, and 11 cases of surgery plus chemotherapy with/without radiotherapy). The 1-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival was 75.0%, 37.2%, and 24.7%, respectively. The parameters with statistical prognostic significance were nodal stage, locoregional failure, and tumor stage. Histological type and primary site had no prognostic value. There were no significant survival differences between surgery alone and surgery plus radiotherapy. Sinonasal tumors have a poor survival, despite early diagnosis, radical surgical resection, and strict follow-up. Radiotherapy seems not to be clearly necessary in stage T1.

Modificación de la distribución de la 3H-atropina por la administración de etanol en un modelo animal / Modification of 3H-atropine by ethanol administration in an animal model

Se estudió la biodistribución de la 3H-atropina en ratones albinos machos heterocigóticos por administraciòn conjunta de atropina y etanol y de atropina solamente. Se observó un comportamiento cualitativamente similar en el perfil de distribución, pero se encontraron diferencias significatiovas entre los niveles de 3H-atropina en la sangre y en la casi totalidad de los tejidos, incluídos el cerebro, que es el órgano donde se producen los principales efectos. Los niveles incrementados de la atropina en la sangre y en los tejidos no parecen proceder de la modificación de su enlazamiento a las proteínas plasmáticas, sino más bien, entre otras causas, al efecto de estimulación circulatoria que produce el etanol favoreciendo la llegada de mayores cantidades de atropina a los tejidos y como consecuencia al sitio de acción, lo que provoca una respuesta más intensa que justifica el efecto de potenciación que se produce por la administración conjunta de etanol y atropina