Ordered metal nanotube arrays fabricated by PVD.

In this work we report a simple method to fabricate ordered arrays of metal nanotubes. This method is based on the deposition of a metal by PVD onto an anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) template. The dimensions of the synthesized nanotubes depend both on the AAO template and on the deposited metal. In fact, it is observed that the aspect ratios of the nanotubes clearly depend significantly on the metal, ranging from 0.6 (Fe) to at least 3 (Zr).

Attachment of magnetite nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes bundles and their response to magnetic fields.

We present an alternative method to control the alignment of carbon nanotube bundles by applying an external magnetic field on magnetic nanoparticles functionalized nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes have been modified by pi-pi stacking of a carboxylic acid and the previously synthesized Fe3O4 nanoparticles have been bounded to the acid groups. Results obtained by TEM, SEM and FESEM show that the magnetite nanoparticles are distributed along the nanotube surfaces, showing a high dispersion and a mean particle size of ca. 4-5 nm. In presence of a magnetic field the modified nanotube bundles have been clearly oriented along the axis parallel to the field.

Post-synthesis alignment of chemically modified carbon nanotubes in magnetic fields.

In this paper we present an improved procedure to prepare carbon nanotubes bundles functionalized with magnetite nanoparticles. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been modified by hydrophobic adsorption of a carboxylic acid derivative and the previously synthesized magnetite nanoparticles have been attached to the acid groups. Electron microscopy studies show a high density of magnetite nanoparticles on the surface of CNTs. These modified carbon nanotubes become magnetic and can be appropriately oriented by using external magnetic fields.

Characterization of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes by atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy.

In this work, we perform a comparative study on single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) before and after low energy nitrogen ion bombardment (70 eV and 25 x 10-6 A/cm2) at room temperature. The morphology and the mechanical properties were studied by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The bonding configuration of the N-doped CNTs was established by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy (XANES). Single-walled carbon nanotubes were prepared using non-intrusive methods and deposited onto silicon substrates. For the spectroscopic studies, samples with a high concentration of CNTs were analyzed. XPS reveals different chemical states for carbon related to the incorporation of nitrogen. XANES confirms the hexagonal structure of the CNTs, resembling the bonding structure of hexagonal carbon nitrides. AFM images confirm that the CNTs were not destroyed after low energy N2+. The morphology of the original nanotubes maintains after nitrogen ion bombardment except for the incorporation of some pearl-shaped decoration, probably due to the adsorption of some contaminants or to deposition of re-sputtered material. Whereas CNTs improve their adherence to the substrate, this extra granularity on the CNT is easily removed even with the AFM tip. In conclusion, spectroscopic measurements and mechanical properties made clear information on the changes produced on CNT after nitrogen incorporation.

[Complications of gynaecological surgery]. / Complicaciones de la cirugía ginecológica.

Gynaecological surgery is undergoing a process of constant change and therefore some of its complications as well. The incorporation of endoscopy has added a new dimension, with the rate of complications related to its complexity. Endoscopy has meant a great advance in surgery, and specifically in gynaecology, which benefits from two ways of approaching the genital apparatus: laparoscopy and histeroscopy. These techniques involve risks that are specific to these techniques: the induction of pneumoperitoneum, insertion of trocar, remote coagulation, vascular passage of the glycine employed in uterine relaxation during hysteroscopy, etc. When a patient comes to Accidents and Emergencies in the postoperative phase, or simply suffers a complication during the 24 or 48 hours that they are hospitalised, the doctor who attends her must be acquainted with this course of approach and its possible complications.

[Steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR), multidrug resistance gene (MDR1) and GSTs, SULTs and CYP polymorphism expression in invasive bladder cancer, analysis of their expression and correlation with other prognostic factors]. / Expresion del receptor de esteroides y xenobioticos (SXR) y del gen de multirresistencia drogas (MDR1) y de los polimorfismos de las enzimas Gsts, SULTs y CYP en tumores vesicales profundos, analisis de su expresion y correlación con otros factores pronósticos.

INTRODUCTION: Steroid and Xenobiotic Receptor (SXR) has demonstrated its activation by numerous drugs, including cytochrome P450 potent inducers like rifampicina or cotrimazol. The role of SXR is well known, and lies regulating in a positive manner cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) transcription and the multidrug resistance gene (MDR1), it's considered a key in the xenobiotic detoxification mechanism, being involved in all phases of the detoxification process. Enzymes involved in Policyclic Aromatic hidrocarbures (PAH) metabolism and degradation are polymorphic in humans, including glutation S-transferases (GSTs), N-acetiltransferases (NATs), sulfotransferases (SULTs)1A1 and cytochrome p450 (CYP)1B1. OBJECTIVES: The objectives we've planned are: 1. Analyze the expression of the transcription factor SXR and MDR1 in bladder by means of RT-PCR real time, both in normal bladder and in tumoral bladder. 2. Analyze the relation between clinical and pathological factors with the expression of SXR and MDR1. 3. Analyze the expression of the polymorphims CYP1B1, GSTM1 GSTT1 and SULT1A1 and their correlation with different clinic-pathological and molecular factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a prospective way the size of the sample was estimated. In 67 patients from two institutions (Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet (49 HUMS) and Clinica Universitaria de Navarra (18 CUN)), diagnosed of invasive bladder cancer and treated by means of radical cystectomy, were determined the expression of both SXR and MDR1 by means of real time PCR, as well as the polymorphisms CYP1B1, GSTM1 GSTT1 y SULT1A1 by means of RFLP (Restriction fragment length polymorphism). Correlations with other prognostic factors by contingency tables were performed. RESULTS: Average follow up was 23.7 months with a median of 28.26 months. Of the 67 patients studied, 31 patients (46.3) presented disease progression, in form of local recurrence or in distant metastasis or both. With a average time to progression of 12.4 months and a median of 10 months, with a range of 1.1 month to 31.9 month. 36 patients (53.7%) did not have any evidence of disease progression during follow up. The Steroid and Xenobiotic Receptor as well as the Multidrug Resistance Gene (MDR1) are expressed in both normal bladder (0.94DeltaCt y 0.94DeltaCt) and tumoral bladder in the cystectomy specimen (1.09 DeltaCt y 0.45 DeltaCt). We've analyzed their expression in a quantitative manner and in a qualitative manner. The expression of SXR correlates with the presence of ca. in situ (p=0.024), vasculo-lymphatic invasion (p=0.05) mean while MDR1 correlates with presence of vasculo-lymphatic invasion (p=0.05) Both factors are correlate between each others (p=0.011). Polymorphisms: CYP1B1, GSTM1, GSTT1 and SULT1A1, are expressed in these patients but their expression doesn't correlates with any prognostic factor CONCLUSIONS: Both SXR and MDR1 are expressed in normal bladder as well as in tumoral bladder. And their expression correlates with different prognostic factors with influence in the survival described in the literature.