Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles via Moringa oleifera seed extract: antioxidant, antibacterial and anticarcinogenic activity on lung cancer.

Plant-mediated biosynthesis of nanoparticles is a green method that allows synthesis in one-pot process. Synthesis of gold nanoparticles with plant extracts has gained interest in the field of biomedicine due to its variety of applications. This study presents the synthesis via green chemistry of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using the methanol extract of Moringa oleifera seeds. The AuNPs were synthesized at room temperature. UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed the formation of AuNPs by identifying the surface plasmon resonance located at 546 nm. TEM analysis shows spherical nanoparticles. FTIR analysis demonstrated the presence of specific bioactive molecules responsible for the Au3+ ion reduction process. The antioxidant activity of the nanoparticles was evaluated on the stabilization of the DPPH radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydrazyl). The antimicrobial activity analysis was developed by broth microdilution method at different concentrations against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Minimum inhibitory concentration were 400 µg/mL and 200 µg/mL, respectively. A549 lung cancer cell proliferation was measured according to the MTT protocol, indicating a dose-dependent response and a IC50 of 163.9 ± 13.27 µg/mL. The AuNPs synthesized using M. oleifera seeds showed promise as active materials for antimicrobial or anticancer products.

Genetic diversity of Mycobacterium avium complex strains isolated in Argentina by MIRU-VNTR.

Mycobacterium avium sp. avium (MAA), M. avium sp. hominissuis (MAH), and M. avium sp. paratuberculosis (MAP) are the main members of the M. avium complex (MAC) causing diseases in several hosts. The aim of this study was to describe the genetic diversity of MAC isolated from different hosts. Twenty-six MAH and 61 MAP isolates were recovered from humans and cattle, respectively. GenoType CM® and IS1311-PCR were used to identify Mycobacterium species. The IS901-PCR was used to differentiate between MAH and MAA, while IS900-PCR was used to identify MAP. Genotyping was performed using a mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit-variable-number tandem-repeat (MIRU-VNTR) scheme (loci: 292, X3, 25, 47, 3, 7, 10, 32) and patterns (INMV) were assigned according to the MAC-INMV database (http://mac-inmv.tours.inra.fr/). Twenty-two (22/26, 84·6%) MAH isolates were genotyped and 16 were grouped into the following, INMV 92, INMV 121, INMV 97, INMV 103, INMV 50, and INMV 40. The loci X3 and 25 showed the largest diversity (D: 0·5844), and the global discriminatory index (Hunter and Gaston discriminatory index, HGDI) was 0·9300. MAP (100%) isolates were grouped into INMV 1, INMV 2, INMV 11, INMV 8, and INMV 5. The HGDI was 0·6984 and loci 292 and 7 had the largest D (0·6980 and 0·5050). MAH presented a higher D when compared with MAP. The MIRU-VNTR was a useful tool to describe the genetic diversity of both MAH and MAP as well as to identify six new MAH patterns that were conveniently reported to the MAC-INMV database. It was also demonstrated that, in the geographical region studied, human MAC cases were produced by MAH as there was no MAA found among the human clinical samples.

Regulation of signaling pathways by tanshinones in different cancers.

Past several years have witnessed dramatic leaps in our understanding of rewiring of gene expression at the translation level during cancer developmentthat provides linchpin support to the transformed phenotype. Most recent and ground-breaking developments in the field of molecular oncology aredriven by an explosion in technological advancements and have started to reveal previously unimagined regulatory mechanisms and how they intricately co-ordinate to modulate cancer progression, loss of apoptosis and development of resistance against different therapeutics. However, the insights gained from work in this natural product research have far-reaching impact because of rapidly increasing repertoire of medicinally and biologically efficient phytochemicals. How Tanshinones mediate targeting of JAK-STAT, ER stress associated signaling cascade,PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway,autophagy, TRAIL pathway and microRNAs are being discovered and will prove to be helpful in getting a step closer to personalized medicine.

Signaling networks in TMPRSS2-ERG positive prostate cancers: Do we need a Pied Piper or sharpshooter to deal with "at large" fused oncoprotein.

Overwhelmingly increasing scientific evidence has provided near complete resolution of prostate cancer landscape and it is now more understandable that wide ranging factors underlies its development and progression. Increasingly it is being realized that genetic/epigenetic factors, Intra-tumoral and inter-tumoral heterogeneity, loss of apoptosis, dysregulations of spatio-temporally controlled signaling cascades, Darwinian evolution in response to therapeutic pressures play instrumental role in prostate carcinogenesis. Moreover, multi-directional patterns of spread between primary tumors and metastatic sites have also been studied extensively in prostate cancer. Research over the years has gradually and systematically revealed closer association between tumor phenotype and type of gene fusion. Latest developments in deep sequencing technologies have shown that gene fusions originate in a non-random, cell type dependent manner and are much more frequent than previously surmised. These findings enabled sub-classification and categorization of seemingly identical diseases. Furthermore, research methodologies have shown that many gene fusions inform us about risk stratification and many chimeric proteins encoded by the fused genes are being studied as drug target/s. We partition this multi-component review into the molecular basis of formation of fusion transcripts, how protein network is regulated in fusion positive prostate cancer cells and therapeutic strategies which are currently being investigated to efficiently target fusion transcript and its protein product.

BORIS and CTCF are overexpressed in squamous intraepithelial lesions and cervical cancer.

We investigated the expression of Brother of Regulator of Imprinted Sites (BORIS) and CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) in squamous intraepithelial lesions and cervical cancer. To analyze BORIS and CTCF expression, an endocervical cytobrush sample was taken for total RNA isolation. CTCF and BORIS mRNA was quantified from total RNA using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. A total of 71 samples were collected and classified according to the Bethesda Classification of squamous intraepithelial lesions. BORIS expression was observed in 9 (12.7%) samples; of these, 5.3, 5.9, 14.8, and 37.5% in the groups that were cytology negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), and invasive cervical carcinoma, respectively. The expression level of BORIS was significantly higher in the group with invasive cervical carcinoma as compared with the groups negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy, LSIL, and HSIL (P < 0.0005). CTCF mRNA was expressed in all samples. CTCF expression was significantly higher in carcinoma groups compared with LSIL, HSIL, and negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy groups. We found that BORIS and CTCF expressions in the LSIL and invasive cervical carcinoma groups were higher than expression in cytological normal samples. Additional studies should be conducted to examine the function of transcription factors during different stages of the transformation of cervical cancer cells.

Surgical treatment at adult acquired flatfoot stage IIB: Spring ligament repair. / Tratamiento quirúrgico del pie plano valgo adquirido del adulto en estadio IIB: papel de la reparación del «spring ligament¼.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The spring ligament has paramount role in supporting the arches and its fail causes the collapse of the medial longitudinal arc, inducing adult acquired flatfoot deformity. Our aim was to analyze the clinical and radiological outcomes of spring ligament repair and titanium wedges integration used in surgical osteotomies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 23 cases with middle ages of 63, diagnosed with adult acquired flatfoot deformity stage IIB in RAM classification after ortho-prosthetic treatment failure, assessing the functional outcomes using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society scale and the radiological outcomes studying angles variation (talonavicular uncoverage, talo-first metatarsal angle and Meary axis). RESULTS: The mean preoperative American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score of the sample was 52±10 and the postoperative 88±6 (p<0.05). The radiological outcomes showed a statistically significant improvement. CONCLUSION: Spring ligament repair associated to bone reconstruction offers large functional and radiological outcomes to adult acquired flatfoot deformity stage IIB treatment. Titanium wedges present an excellent bone integration.

[Translated article] Surgical treatment at adult acquired flatfoot stage IIB: Spring ligament repair.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The spring ligament has paramount role in supporting the arches and its fail causes the collapse of the medial longitudinal arc, inducing adult acquired flatfoot deformity. Our aim was to analyze the clinical and radiological outcomes of spring ligament repair and titanium wedges integration used in surgical osteotomies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 23 cases with middle ages of 63, diagnosed with adult acquired flatfoot deformity stage IIB in RAM classification after ortho-prosthetic treatment failure, assessing the functional outcomes using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society scale and the radiological outcomes studying angles variation (talonavicular uncoverage, talo-first metatarsal angle and Meary axis). RESULTS: The mean preoperative American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score of the sample was 52±10 and the postoperative 88±6 (p<0.05). The radiological outcomes showed a statistically significant improvement. CONCLUSION: Spring ligament repair associated to bone reconstruction offers large functional and radiological outcomes to adult acquired flatfoot deformity stage IIB treatment. Titanium wedges present an excellent bone integration.

Historical reconstruction of the population dynamics of southern right whales in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean.

Understanding the recovery of whale populations is critical for developing population-management and conservation strategies. The southern right whale (SRW) Eubalena australis was one of the baleen whale species that has experienced centuries of exploitation. We assess here for the first time the population dynamics of the SRW from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean at the regional level to measure numerically the effect of whaling and estimate the population trend and recovery level after depletion. We reconstructed the catch history of whaling for the period 1670-1973 by an extensive review of different literature sources and developed a Bayesian state-space model to estimate the demographic parameters. The population trajectory indicated that the pre-exploitation abundance was close to 58,000 individuals (median = 58,212; 95% CI = 33,329-100,920). The abundance dropped to its lowest abundance levels in the 1830s when fewer than 2,000 individuals remained. The current median population abundance was estimated at 4,742 whales (95% CI = 3,853-6,013), suggesting that the SRW population remains small relative to its pre-exploitation abundance (median depletion P2021 8.7%). We estimated that close to 36% of the SRW population visits the waters of the Península Valdés, the main breeding ground, every year. Our results provide insights into the severity of the whaling operation in the southwestern Atlantic along with the population´s response at low densities, thus contributing to understand the observed differences in population trends over the distributional range of the species worldwide.

The computer application «SCAE¼ in the early diagnosis of musculoskeletal cancer in the healthcare area of the Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre. Analysis of its effectiveness and proposals for improvement. / La aplicación informática «SCAE¼ en el diagnóstico precoz del cáncer musculoesquelético en el área sanitaria del Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre. Análisis de su efectividad y propuestas de mejora.

INTRODUCTION: The SCAE-SM (Request for an Appointment in Specialized Care-Suspicion of Malignancy) computer application is a tool available to Primary Care (PC) physicians for the referral of patients who should be evaluated by the specialist in a maximum period of 2 weeks when malignancy is suspected. The objective of our work was to analyze the usefulness of this tool and propose areas for improvement in the management of patients with suspected musculoskeletal malignancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 235 referrals received in the years 2012-2017 was carried out. Their origin, the information contained in the applications and the response provided by historical evaluators, without specific oncology training, were analyzed. For this study, a new blind assessment of all applications was carried out by 13 orthopedists with different levels of specific training in musculoskeletal oncology (re-evaluators). RESULTS: Among all SCAE-SM, only 8.23% of patients had aggressive benign or malignant disease. The most successful re-evaluators in the adequacy of early appointment were those with moderate oncological training (5-10 years of experience). During the study, of all the patients treated in the Tumor Unit, only 18.81% accessed through the SCAE-SM circuit, with a mean waiting time of 18.11 days from the PC referral. CONCLUSIONS: The SCAE-SM computer application as tool for improve the management and advance care for patients with malignant musculoskeletal tumor pathology is useful, although the use of the circuit is inadequate. It is necessary to disseminate and generalize it, as well as to implement basic oncology training programs both in the field of PC and Hospital.

Fabry disease in Spain: description of Spanish patients and a comparison with other European countries using data from the Fabry Outcome Survey (FOS).

AIMS: Fabry disease (FD) is an X-chromosome-linked transmitted lysosomal storage disorder as a result of the deficient activity of enzyme α-galactosidase A. This leads to accumulation of neutral glycosphingolipids associated with organ involvement and premature death. We report the clinical characteristics of Spanish patients enrolled on the Fabry Outcome Survey (FOS; an international multicentre registry for the disease) and also compare these data with those from the rest of Europe. METHODS: Baseline clinical data of 92 patients (41 males and 51 females) are described and analysed globally and according to gender. We compare the data of Spanish patients with those previously published from the rest of Europe patients in FOS. RESULTS: Mean age of onset of symptoms in men was 20, and 24 years in women, with a mean delay of 11 years to the diagnosis in both genders. The predominant clinical involvement in male patients was renal (69%), cardiac (66%) and neurological (60%), and for female patients, it was neurological (42%), cardiac (33%), keratopathy (30%) and nephropathy (28%). Disease severity was significantly higher in male patients. Compared to the rest of European FOS-patients, Spanish patients were diagnosed at an earlier age with a smaller proportion of disease-related involvement for most organ irrespective of gender, though not its global severity in male patients. CONCLUSIONS: We present the largest cohort of Spanish patients diagnosed with FD. The pattern of involvement (though not its global severity) could be different in Spanish patients in comparison with others from Europe. Expanding the knowledge of FD will permit early diagnosis as well as the possibility of starting the specific treatment.

Feeding strategy and cannibalism of the Argentine hake Merluccius hubbsi.

The diet composition and feeding strategy of the Argentine hake Merluccius hubbsi in the San Matías Gulf were analysed in order to use this information for the sustainable management of the fishery. Merluccius hubbsi behaved as an opportunistic predator. Small M. hubbsi consumed planktonic crustaceans, whereas medium and large fish ate numerous prey taxa with low frequency of occurrence and variable specific abundance. Intra- and intercohort cannibalism were detected in all size groups and were particularly significant in large M. hubbsi. Medium-sized M. hubbsi consumed small conspecifics and large-sized M. hubbsi consumed both small and medium M. hubbsi. These results indicate that the removal of large M. hubbsi by fishing may increase the risk of overfishing by two combined effects: a direct effect of recruitment-overfishing and an indirect effect of growth-overfishing through an enhanced cannibalism of medium M. hubbsi on small M. hubbsi. Intra- and intercohort cannibalism and other trophic relationships in the M. hubbsi should therefore be considered explicitly in stock assessment models.

Hemodynamic resuscitation with fluids bolus and norepinephrine increases severity of lung damage in an experimental model of septic shock.

OBJECTIVE: Hemodynamic resuscitation is considered a cornerstone of the initial treatment of septic shock. However, there is growing concern about its side effects. Our objective was to assess the relationship between fluid administration and norepinephrine infusion and the development of lung injury. DESIGN: Randomized in vivo study in rabbits. SETTING: University animal research laboratory. PATIENTS: Eighteen New Zealand rabbits. Control group (SHAM, n=6), Sepsis group with or without hemodynamic resuscitation (ETX-R, n=6; ETX-NR, n=6). INTERVENTIONS: Sepsis was induced by intravenous lipopolysaccharide administration and animals were followed-up for 4h. Hemodynamic resuscitation with Ringer lactate (20mL·kg-1) was administered and later norepinephrine was initiated 3h after sepsis induction. At the end, the left lung was excised. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: An indwelling arterial catheter and an esophageal Doppler were placed. Lung mechanics were monitored with side stream spirometry. Lung damage was analyzed by histopathological examination. RESULTS: The SHAM group did not show hemodynamic or respiratory changes. Lipopolysaccharide administration aimed an increase in cardiac output and arterial hypotension. In the ETX-NR group, animals remained hypotensive until the end of the experiment. Resuscitation with fluids and norepinephrine reversed arterial hypotension. Compared to the ETX-NR group, the remaining lung of the ETX-R group showed greater accumulation of neutrophils and reactive type-II pneumocytes, thicker alveolar wall, alveolar hemorrhage and non-aerated pulmonary areas. Lung injury score was larger in the ETX-R group. CONCLUSIONS: In our experimental study, following a strategy with bolus fluids and late norepinephrine used in the early phase of endotoxic septic shock has a negative influence on the development of lung injury.

New and rapid strategies for the diagnosis of bovine paratuberculosis "in situ" using latex particles.

The chemical coupling of a protoplasmatic antigen from Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratubeculosis onto core-shell carboxylated particles was investigated with the aim of producing latex-protein complexes to be used in immunoagglutination assays capable of detecting bovine paratuberculosis disease. For this purpose, sensitizations were carried out using both colored and not colored carboxylated latexes as well as the protoplasmatic antigen at pH close to its isoelectric point to favor the antigenic protein to approach the particle surface. In all cases, higher fractions of proteins were chemically-bound to carboxyl groups on the surface of the particles. The assessment of the performance of the visual immunoagglutination assays consisted of evaluating 111 sera from healthy and infected bovines with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. Complexes obtained from the colored latex allowed an acceptable visual discrimination between the studied positive and negative sera. Most of the positive samples showed strong to very strong agglutination and only a few samples reacted weakly, i.e. a sensitivity of 70%. The specificity of the assay, on the other hand, was 86%. Therefore, this rapid detection technique allows an easy and inexpensive identification of animals possibly infected with paratuberculosis "in situ" in the herds.

Age adjusting severity scores for Anderson-Fabry disease.

Anderson-Fabry Disease (AFD) is a life-threatening X-linked lysosomal storage disorder, caused by a deficiency of alpha galactosidase A. The disease affects males and females, and may present in childhood or adulthood. In the absence of a biomarker of disease burden or therapeutic response, scoring systems based on clinical manifestations, have been developed. Such global scores e.g. the Mainz Severity Score Index (MSSI) are confounded by the natural history of disease that deteriorates with age, making comparisons across age groups invalid. In this study the baseline MSSI, as adapted for data collected in the Fabry Outcome Survey (FOS) database (FOS-MSSI), was calculated for 655 females and 617 males with confirmed AFD. Using an ANCOVA model, equations for the predicted FOS-MSSI based on age were derived for males and females from data where patients from the UK or outside Europe were excluded. The initially excluded patients were used for validation. The predicted severity scores of UK and non-Europe-cohorts of adult and paediatric patients were found to follow the model produced for the European cohort thereby providing validation of the methodology. Deviation of the actual FOS-MSSI from the predicted was calculated and termed the age-adjusted score. Examples of the use of the age-adjusted score in individual patients, in comparison of mutations and in investigation of early factors which may impact on later severity of Fabry disease are given. This validated age and gender adjusted scoring system allows the comparison of disease severity in different subgroups such as genotypes without age or sex as confounding factors.

Does geographical location influence the phenotype of Fabry disease in women in Europe?

This study examines the relationship between phenotype and geographical location of patients with Fabry disease in Europe. Data were taken from patients enrolled in the Fabry Outcome Survey (FOS), as of October 2007. A modified version of the Mainz Severity Score Index (FOS-MSSI) was used to classify patients according to the severity of disease. European patients were grouped depending on country of residence (northern or southern European countries). Results are presented from 762 patients enrolled in FOS in Europe (357 men and 405 women); 66% lived in northern and 34% in southern countries. Median age at onset of symptoms of Fabry disease was similar in both sexes. No differences in disease severity were seen among men, according to place of residence; however, women living in northern countries had higher severity scores (p < 0.001) than those in southern countries. In men and women, FOS-MSSI scores increased with age, irrespective of place of residence. The results suggest that expression of different phenotypic features in Fabry disease in women living in Europe may be influenced by extra-genetic or epigenetic factors. These factors might be related to dietary or environmental influences that differ according to the patient's country of residence.

Hemodynamic resuscitation with fluids bolus and norepinephrine increases severity of lung damage in an experimental model of septic shock.

OBJECTIVE: Hemodynamic resuscitation is considered a cornerstone of the initial treatment of septic shock. However, there is growing concern about its side effects. Our objective was to assess the relationship between fluid administration and norepinephrine infusion and the development of lung injury. DESIGN: Randomized in vivo study in rabbits. SETTING: University animal research laboratory. PATIENTS: Eighteen New Zealand rabbits. Control group (SHAM, n=6), Sepsis group with or without hemodynamic resuscitation (ETX-R, n=6; ETX-NR, n=6). INTERVENTIONS: Sepsis was induced by intravenous lipopolysaccharide administration and animals were followed-up for 4h. Hemodynamic resuscitation with Ringer lactate (20mL·kg-1) was administered and later norepinephrine was initiated 3h after sepsis induction. At the end, the left lung was excised. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: An indwelling arterial catheter and an esophageal Doppler were placed. Lung mechanics were monitored with side stream spirometry. Lung damage was analyzed by histopathological examination. RESULTS: The SHAM group did not show hemodynamic or respiratory changes. Lipopolysaccharide administration aimed an increase in cardiac output and arterial hypotension. In the ETX-NR group, animals remained hypotensive until the end of the experiment. Resuscitation with fluids and norepinephrine reversed arterial hypotension. Compared to the ETX-NR group, the remaining lung of the ETX-R group showed greater accumulation of neutrophils and reactive type-II pneumocytes, thicker alveolar wall, alveolar hemorrhage and non-aerated pulmonary areas. Lung injury score was larger in the ETX-R group. CONCLUSIONS: In our experimental study, following a strategy with bolus fluids and late norepinephrine used in the early phase of endotoxic septic shock has a negative influence on the development of lung injury.

Study of the functional results of the percutaneous surgical treatment of subtle injuries of the tarso-metatarsian complex. / Resultados funcionales del tratamiento quirúrgico percutáneo de las lesiones sutiles del complejo tarso-metatarsiano.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The concept subtle Lisfranc defines low energy lesions of the tarsometatarsal joint complex (TMC) that involve joint instability. Often unnoticed, with long-term sequelae. The objective is to evaluate the clinical-functional results of patients with MTC ligament damage grade II-III (Nunley and Vertullo classification) treated with percutaneous surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 16 patients who underwent percutaneous surgery for MLC ligament damage. Demographic data, days of delay in diagnosis, surgical technique, joint reduction in load (adequate if C1-M2 space is less than 2 mm) and Manchester-Oxford scale (MOXFQ) score were collected. The sample consisted of nine males and seven females, mean age 43.6 years (17-71) and mean follow-up of 22 months (12-28). RESULTS: Diagnosis was delayed for more than 24 hours in four patients (3-6 days). In 11 patients the treatment consisted of closed reduction and percutaneous synthesis with cannulated screws from M2 to C1 and from C1 to C2. In three patients it was supplemented with Kirschner wires in the lateral radii. Two patients were treated with only M2 to C1 screws. An anatomical reduction was not achieved in six patients, with a mean of 2.6 mm between C1-M2 (2.1-3 mm); the mean functional MOXFQ score of these patients was 41.1% (IC 95% 23.1-59.1%), worse results compared to the anatomical reduction: 17.2% (IC 95% 5.7-28.7); statistically significant difference (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Subtle injuries from MTC are rare and can go unnoticed. Surgical treatment with percutaneous synthesis offers good clinical-functional results in the medium term. The anatomical reduction is a determining factor for the good functional result of our patients.

Numerical comparison between conventional dispersion compensating fibers and photonic crystal fibers as lumped Raman amplifiers.

In this paper we discuss the use of photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) as discrete devices for simultaneous wideband dispersion compensation and Raman amplification. The performance of the PCFs in terms of gain, ripple, optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) and required fiber length for complete dispersion compensation is compared with conventional dispersion compensating fibers (DCFs). The main goal is to determine the minimum PCF loss beyond which its performance surpasses a state-of-the-art DCF and justifies practical use in telecommunication systems.

Design methodology for multi-pumped discrete Raman amplifiers: case-study employing photonic crystal fibers.

This paper proposes a new design methodology for discrete multi-pumped Raman amplifier. In a multi-objective optimization scenario, in a first step the whole solution-space is inspected by a CW analytical formulation. Then, the most promising solutions are fully investigated by a rigorous numerical treatment and the Raman amplification performance is thus determined by the combination of analytical and numerical approaches. As an application of our methodology we designed an photonic crystal fiber Raman amplifier configuration which provides low ripple, high gain, clear eye opening and a low power penalty. The amplifier configuration also enables to fully compensate the dispersion introduced by a 70-km singlemode fiber in a 10 Gbit/s system. We have successfully obtained a configuration with 8.5 dB average gain over the C-band and 0.71 dB ripple with almost zero eye-penalty using only two pump lasers with relatively low pump power.

Spin fluctuation effects on the conductance through a single Pd atom contact.

A controversy about the conductance through single atoms still exists. There are many experiments where values lower than the quantum unity G(0) = 2e(2)/h have been found associated to Kondo regimes with high Kondo temperatures. Specifically in the Pd single atom contact, conductance values close to G(0)/2 at room temperature have been reported. In this work we propose a theoretical analysis of a break junction of Pd where the charge fluctuation in the single atom contact is limited to the most probable one: [Formula: see text]. The projected density of states and the characteristics of the electron transport are calculated by using a realistic description of the interacting system. A Kondo regime is found where the conductance values and their dependence on temperature are in good agreement with the experimental trends observed in the conduction of single molecule transistors based on transition metal coordination complexes.