Hybrid Hierarchical Heterostructures of Nanoceramic Phosphors as Imaging Agents for Multiplexing and Living Cancer Cells Translocation.

Existing fluorescent labels used in life sciences are based on organic compounds with limited lifetime or on quantum dots which are either expensive or toxic and have low kinetic stability in biological environments. To address these challenges, luminescent nanomaterials have been conceived as hierarchical, core-shell structures with spherical morphology and highly controlled dimensions. These tailor-made nanophosphors incorporate Ln:YVO4 nanoparticles (Ln = Eu(III) and Er(III)) as 50 nm cores and display intense and narrow emission maxima centered at ∼565 nm. These cores can be encapsulated in silica shells with highly controlled dimensions as well as functionalized with chitosan or PEG5000 to reduce nonspecific interactions with biomolecules in living cells. Confocal fluorescence microscopy in living prostate cancer cells confirmed the potential of these platforms to overcome the disadvantages of commercial fluorophores and their feasibility as labels for multiplexing, biosensing, and imaging in life science assays.

Effects of treadmill exercise on dopaminergic transmission in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-lesioned mouse model of basal ganglia injury.

Studies have suggested that there are beneficial effects of exercise in patients with Parkinson's disease, but the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for these effects are poorly understood. Studies in rodent models provide a means to examine the effects of exercise on dopaminergic neurotransmission. Using intensive treadmill exercise, we determined changes in striatal dopamine in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-lesioned mouse. C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups: (1) saline, (2) saline plus exercise, (3) MPTP, and (4) MPTP plus exercise. Exercise was started 5 d after MPTP lesioning and continued for 28 d. Treadmill running improved motor velocity in both exercise groups. All exercised animals also showed increased latency to fall (improved balance) using the accelerating rotarod compared with nonexercised mice. Using HPLC, we found no difference in striatal dopamine tissue levels between MPTP plus exercise compared with MPTP mice. There was an increase detected in saline plus exercise mice. Analyses using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry showed increased stimulus-evoked release and a decrease in decay of dopamine in the dorsal striatum of MPTP plus exercise mice only. Immunohistochemical staining analysis of striatal tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter proteins showed decreased expression in MPTP plus exercise mice compared with MPTP mice. There were no differences in mRNA transcript expression in midbrain dopaminergic neurons between these two groups. However, there was diminished transcript expression in saline plus exercise compared with saline mice. Our findings suggest that the benefits of treadmill exercise on motor performance may be accompanied by changes in dopaminergic neurotransmission that are different in the injured (MPTP-lesioned) compared with the noninjured (saline) nigrostriatal system.

Fortalezas y debilidades para una lactancia materna exclusiva exitosa en madres que asisten al Hospital General Docente Riobamba, Ecuador / Strengths and weaknesses for successful exclusive breastfeeding in mothers attending the general teaching hospital of the city of Riobamba, Ecuador

Introducción: la leche materna es la mejor fuente alimentaria para el niño menor de seis meses, aporta los nutrientes para un crecimiento y desarrollo óptimo, sin embargo en las últimas décadas se han reportado una disminución. Objetivo: identificar las fortalezas y debilidades de una lactancia materna exclusiva (LME) exitosa, en madres que asisten al Hospital General Docente Riobamba (HGDR). Métodos: se investigó a 331 binomios madre ­ hijo de 6 a 24 meses de edad, en diseño observacional, descriptivo, transversal y mediante. Resultados: las madres son residentes de Riobamba, el 14% tienen trabajo estable, la mayoría son amas de casa o estudiantes, con edad promedio de 25 años y el 23% son solteras. El 72% ha mantenido LME, lo que difiere significativamente (p < 0.05) con lo reportado en la Encuesta Nacional de Salud, Alimentación y Nutrición (ENSANUT), 2011-2013. Además se observó que existe una disminución de LME en madres menores de 19 años. Son fortalezas, el apoyo de los profesionales de salud, la convicción de dar a su hijo/ja la mejor alimentación para evitar las enfermedades y tengan un crecimiento óptimo y el apoyo familiar. La principales debilidades son el ingreso de la madre al trabajo y la disminución en la producción de leche. Conclusión: hay necesidad de motivar, educar y brindar asesoría alimentaria nutricional para una LME exitosa en especial a madres menores de 19 años.

Introduction: breast milk is the best food source for the child under six months, it provides the nutrients for optimal growth and development, however in recent decades a decrease in breast-feeding has been reported. Objective: to identify the strengths and weaknesses of successful exclusive breastfeeding in mothers attending the Hospital General Docente Riobamba (HGDR). Methodology: We investigated 331 mother-child pairs from 6 to 24 months of age, in an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study. Results: regarding the profile of the mothers, they are residents of Riobamba, 14% have a stable job, most are housewives or students, with an average age of 25 years, 23% are single mothers. 72% of mothers have maintained exclusive breast-feeding, which significantly differs (p < 0.05) from that reported by the la Encuesta Nacional de Salud, Alimentación y Nutrición (ENSANUT), 2011-2013. It was also observed a decrease exclusive breast feeding in mothers under 19 years of age. Several strengths were observed: support provided by health professionals, personal conviction of giving the child the best nutrition to avoid illnesses and to ensure their optimal growth, and support provided by the couple and family. The main weaknesses were the mother's incorporacion to work and the decrease in milk production. Conclusion: there is need of motivation, education and food nutritional counseling for a successful exclusive breast-feeding, especially in mothers younger than 19 years old.

Behavioral motor recovery in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-lesioned squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus): changes in striatal dopamine and expression of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter proteins.

The neurotoxicant 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) provides an excellent opportunity to study repair and response to injury in the basal ganglia. Administration to mammals leads to the destruction of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons and depletion of striatal dopamine. In the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus), MPTP-lesioning results in parkinsonian motor symptoms including bradykinesia, postural instability, and rigidity. Over time animals display motor behavioral recovery. To better understand this mechanism we employed a lesioning regimen of two or six subcutaneous injections of MPTP (2.0 mg/kg, free-base) to generate mild or moderate parkinsonism. Brain tissue was harvested at 6 weeks or 9 months after the last injection and analyzed for dopamine and its metabolites by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and by immunohistochemical staining and Western immunoblotting for the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine transporter (DAT), and dopamine- and cAMP-responsive protein phosphatase of 32 kDa (DARPP-32), an effector molecule enriched in striatal medium spiny neurons. Several months after MPTP-lesioning, when squirrel monkeys displayed full motor behavioral recovery, striatal dopamine levels remained low with a greater return in the ventral striatum. This finding is consistent with other reports using neurotoxicant-lesioning models of the basal ganglia in rodents and other species of nonhuman primates. Elevated dopamine turnover ratio and decreased DAT expression appeared in early behavioral recovery at the 6-week time point in both mild- and moderate-parkinsonian monkeys. Tyrosine hydroxylase and DAT expression was increased in late stage recovery even within dopamine-depleted regions and supports sprouting. Altered DARPP-32 expression suggests a role of medium spiny neurons in recovery.