Direct Color Observation of Light-Driven Molecular Conformation-Induced Stress.

Although usually complex to handle, nanomechanical sensors are exceptional, label-free tools for monitoring molecular conformational changes, which makes them of paramount importance in understanding biomolecular interactions. Herein, a simple and inexpensive mechanical imaging approach based on low-stiffness cantilevers with structural coloration (mechanochromic cantilevers (MMC)) is demonstrated, able to monitor and quantify molecular conformational changes with similar sensitivity to the classical optical beam detection method of cantilever-based sensors (≈4.6 × 10-3  N m-1 ). This high sensitivity is achieved by using a white light and an RGB camera working in the reflection configuration. The sensor performance is demonstrated by monitoring the UV-light induced reversible conformational changes of azobenzene molecules coating. The trans-cis isomerization of the azobenzene molecules induces a deflection of the cantilevers modifying their diffracted color, which returns to the initial state by cis-trans relaxation. Interestingly, the mechanical imaging enables a simultaneous 2D mapping of the response thus enhancing the spatial resolution of the measurements. A tight correlation is found between the color output and the cantilever's deflection and curvature angle (sensitivities of 5 × 10-3  Hue µm-1 and 1.5 × 10-1  Hue (°)-1 ). These findings highlight the suitability of low-stiffness MMC as an enabling technology for monitoring molecular changes with unprecedented simplicity, high-throughput capability, and functionalities.

Mechanochromic Detection for Soft Opto-Magnetic Actuators.

New multi-stimuli responsive materials are required in smart systems applications to overcome current limitations in remote actuation and to achieve versatile operation in inaccessible environments. The incorporation of detection mechanisms to quantify in real time the response to external stimuli is crucial for the development of automated systems. Here, we present the first wireless opto-magnetic actuator with mechanochromic response. The device, based on a nanostructured-iron (Fe) layer transferred onto suspended elastomer structures with a periodically corrugated backside, can be actuated both optically (in a broadband spectral range) and magnetically. The combined opto-magnetic stimulus can accurately modulate the mechanical response (strength and direction) of the device. The structural coloration generated at the corrugated back surface enables to easily map and quantify, in 2D, the mechanical deflections by analyzing in real time the hue changes of images taken using a conventional RGB smartphone camera, with a precision of 0.05°. We demonstrate the independent and synergetic optical and magnetic actuation and detection with a detection limit of 1.8 mW·cm-2 and 0.34 mT, respectively. The simple operation, versatility, and cost-effectiveness of the wireless multiactuated device with highly sensitive mechanochromic mapping paves the way to a new generation of wirelessly controlled smart systems.

A Single Dose of Marine Chlorella vulgaris Increases Plasma Concentrations of Lutein, ß-Carotene and Zeaxanthin in Healthy Male Volunteers.

The beneficial health effects of Chlorella vulgaris have been associated with the presence of several nutrients and antioxidants, including carotenoids. However, the in vivo bioavailability of Chlorella is still poorly evaluated. In this work, a human intervention study was conducted in 11 healthy men to evaluate the bioavailability of carotenoids within 3 days after the intake of a single dose (6 g) of dried marine Chlorella vulgaris containing lutein (7.08 mg), ß-carotene (1.88 mg) and zeaxanthin (1.47 mg). Subjects were instructed to follow a low carotenoid diet during the experimental phase, starting 1 week earlier. On the day of the experiment, dried microalgae formulated in vegetarian hard capsules were ingested, and blood samples were collected up to 72 h for the analysis of plasma carotenoids concentration by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection. For all carotenoids, the estimated AUC and Cmax values were significantly different from zero (p < 0.05), indicating that a single dose of marine Chlorella vulgaris increased plasma concentrations of lutein (Cmin-corrected AUC = 1002 µg·h/L, Cmax = 20.4 µg/L), ß-carotene (AUC = 1302 µg·h/L, Cmax = 34.9 µg/L) and zeaxanthin (AUC = 122.2 µg·h/L, Cmax = 3.4 µg/L). The bioavailability of other compounds, namely, polyunsaturated fatty acids and trace elements, was also assessed post-prandial for the first time, showing that linoleic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and iodine were absorbed after microalgae intake. These findings support the use of Chlorella vulgaris as a source of carotenoids, PUFA and essential trace elements with associated health benefits.

Exenteración pélvica, morbilidad y supervivencia / Pelvic exenteration; morbidity and survival

Entre 1985 y 1990, 17 pacientes fueron sometidas a exenteración pélvica en el Hospital de Ginecología y Obstetriia No. 4 del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social en la ciudad de México. Dieciséis pacientes habían recibido radioterapia previamente. La mayor parte de los procedimientos quirúrgicos fueron llevados a cabo por cáncer de cervix, recurrente o persistente. El principal tipo histológico de la neoplasia cervical fue carcinoma epidermoide, 15 casos. En ningún caso la cirugía fue llevada a cabo en presencia de nódulos linfáticos positivos. La mortalidad quirúrgica fue 5.9 por ciento. Una o más complicaciones quirúrgicas, se presentaron en nueve pacientes, tres pacientes requirieron más de un procedimiento quirúrgico para corregir tales complicaciones. No hubo mortalidad por reoperación. Cinco pacientes tuvieron complicaciones no quirúrgicas. Todas las pacientes fueron seguidas por al menor dos años o hasta el momento de su muerte. La supervivencia acumulativa a cinco años estuvo relacionada significativamente al tipo de tumor. Todas las pacientes con tumor recurrente estaban vivas en el último seguimiento, comparado con sólo 33 por ciento de pacientes con tumor persistente. Cuatro pacientes fueron tratadas con exentración pélvica anterior, todas con tumor persistente, de estas, tres tuvieron recurrencia documentada y ninguna sobrevivió más allá de 14 meses

El hogar sustituto como sistema de recuperación integral en lactantes desnutridos y graves (Programa COFADE) / The forster home as an integral recovery system for undernourished and severely undernourshed infants (COFADE PROGRAM)

En el Servicio de Salud Metropolitano Sur Oriente se lleva a cabo un proyecto intersectorial de salud con los municipios, destinado a recuperar desnutridos primarios avanzados a través de un sistema de colocaciones familiares: lactantes cuyo tratamiento ambulatorio no ha sido extioso se envían a hogares sustitutos cuidadosamente seleccionados y capacitados donde permanecen alrededor de 4 meses para tratamiento nutricional y psicomotor. Los padres participan activamente en el trabajo con el niño, desarrollándose paralelamente labor educacional y social con el hogar de origen por equipo multiprofesional. Este programa es financiado y ejecutado por el Servicio de Salud y seis Municipalidades