Dodecagonal plasmonic quasicrystals for phage-based biosensing.

In this work, we fabricate and characterize a novel sensitive two-dimensional surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate made of plasmonic nanocavities in a photonic quasicrystal arrangement characterized by a 12-fold rotational symmetry. Our SERS device is capable of detecting chemisorbed bacteriophages at a femtomolar range. Most importantly, the paper presents for the first time a study on the procedure to functionalize the plasmonic quasicrystal with bacteriophages of the Podoviridae family. The immobilization of the phages on the plasmonic substrate has been studied and verified through SERS measurements. A new stable peak, visible in the SERS spectra at 1326 cm-1 at a greater than 60 times amplification, confirms the immobilization of the phages on the substrate. This functionalization approach can be used also for other types of phages or plasmonic sensors and hence, our achievements could allow the development of novel systems for the specific detection of different species of bacteria.

Structured beam diffraction.

We report on the observation of a modulated pattern induced by a single laser beam in a polymeric film. In spite of the simple geometrical configuration, the analysis of the far field diffraction pattern allows a sensitive retrieving of the wavelength of the recording beam and of its incidence angle, pointing out the high information content of the recorded spot. A theoretical model is presented which satisfactorily explains the observed behavior. It takes into account the interaction of structured light with structured matter with the same symmetries and spatial modulation frequencies close to each other. This result shows a feature of the interaction between structured light and structured matter which has not been explored yet.

[Interventions for functionally dependent adults and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Intervenciones para adultos con dependencia funcional y sus cuidadores durante la pandemia de COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the world population, especially people from social groups in a situation of greater vulnerability among people with some functional dependency. Therefore, the aim of this review was to describe interventions during the pandemic to preserve general health, maintain function and independence, and prevent COVID-19 infection for functionally dependent adults (FDA). A systematic search in databases was carried out. Titles and abstracts of each publication were reviewed for relevance. Full-text articles were accessed by two independent reviewers. The information found was classified into three categories: 1) FDA during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2) FDA during the COVID-19 pandemic according to a specific condition (neurological conditions, sensory disabilities/impairments, and cognitive impairment), and 3) Older adults with functional dependence. The FDAs have faced difficulties and barriers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Strengthening strategies such as telerehabilitation is suggested to avoid deterioration or aggravation of the functionality of dependent people.

Myocardial tissue Doppler assessment of diastolic function in the growth-restricted fetus.

OBJECTIVES: Myocardial tissue Doppler (MTD) is a technique for the measurement of myocardial velocities in systole and diastole. This study evaluates the use of MTD in the assessment of cardiac diastolic function in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) with placental insufficiency and in appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) fetuses with hypertensive mothers. METHODS: This study included 14 IUGR fetuses with placental insufficiency (Group 1), 13 AGA fetuses with hypertensive mothers (Group 2), and 29 AGA fetuses with healthy mothers (Group 3). Patients with other diseases were excluded. All fetuses had a gestational age of at least 25 weeks. MTD assessment was performed with the sample volume placed at the basal segment of the left ventricular side wall (LV), the interventricular septum (IVS) and the right ventricular free wall (RV). E'/A' ratios were calculated for each location. Mitral and tricuspid flows were assessed by conventional spectral pulsed Doppler. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between groups for E'/A' at the IVS (P < 0.001) and LV (P = 0.009), with a higher mean (+/- SD) value in Group 1 (IVS: 0.92 +/- 0.28; LV: 0.85 +/- 0.19) than in Groups 2 (IVS: 0.62 +/- 0.09; LV: 0.68 +/- 0.14) and 3 (IVS: 0.71 +/- 0.14; LV: 0.69 +/- 0.15). In the RV, there was no statistically significant difference in the E'/A' ratio (P = 0.2). No differences were observed for mitral and tricuspid flow velocities and ratios. CONCLUSIONS: Using MTD, the ratios between early and late diastolic myocardial velocities are higher in IUGR fetuses than in AGA fetuses at the IVS and the LV, regardless of the presence of maternal hypertension. MTD may be more sensitive than atrioventricular spectral Doppler for the detection of ventricular diastolic dysfunction in IUGR fetuses.

Nitroxide radical TEMPO reduces ozone-induced chemokine IL-8 production in lung epithelial cells.

Exposure to high levels of ozone (O(3)) damages respiratory tract epithelial cells. This research evaluated the ability of TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl), a stable nitroxide free radical, to decrease O(3)-mediated injury to a respiratory tract-derived cell line (A549 cells) by monitoring in this cell system the interleukine-8 (IL-8) production. TEMPO reduced O(3)-induced IL-8 production in A549 cells, as evidenced by PCR analysis, Western blot and ELISA assays. This behaviour is explainable on the basis of the reactivity between TEMPO with O(3) and/or O(3)-derived free radicals in biological systems. The study provides evidence that TEMPO reacts with O(3) and/or its cytotoxic products and may provide protections against O(3)-induced biotoxicities.

Esthesioneuroblastoma treated with external radiotherapy. Case report.

Esthesioneuroblastoma is a rare tumour arising from the olfactory epithelium of the nasal vault which frequently invades the cranial base and orbit. Esthesioneuroblastoma has a bimodal age distribution between 11 and 20 years and between 51 and 60 years. Esthesioneuroblastoma accounts for approximately 1-5% of intranasal cancers. The case is reported of a 79-year-old female patient with a Kadish stage C tumour with a one-year history of headache, nasal obstruction, anosmia, rhinorrhoea and epistaxis. Aim of this study is to analyse the natural history, treatment and prognosis of this tumour, based on a review of the literature.

Engineered nanopatterned substrates for high-sensitive localized surface plasmon resonance: an assay on biomacromolecules.

In this paper, we report on novel iso-Y-shaped-nanopillar based photonic crystals (PCs) engineered for plasmonic lab-on-a-chip advanced diagnostics. The iso-Y shaped units are selected on the basis of their plasmonic properties, analyzed numerically and experimentally. We show that by accurately choosing the nanopillar shape, dimensions and their geometrical disposal it is possible to obtain efficient optical 2D structures for biomolecule detection by high-sensitive localized surface plasmonic resonance (LSPR). In particular, an assay is realized by using bovine serum albumin (BSA), a widely recognized model for biosystem studies. BSA was simply deposited on a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) previously grown-up on the plasmonic substrate. We demonstrate that the geometries considered allow the design of LSPR nano-assays working in the visible-NIR region based on both intensity interrogation and the resonance peak shift permitting the sensing of BSA with a limit of detection in the order of picomoles (LOD = 233 pM).

Lipopolysaccharide nonresponder cells: the C3H/HeJ defect.

Since its initial discovery as endotoxin resistant, the C3H/HeJ mouse has been extensively studied and used as a comparative model to help reveal the mechanism under genetic control which governs host responses to endotoxin. Most of the research has focused on the B lymphocyte and macrophage of this strain which fail to be activated by LPS. Recently, specific LPS binding proteins have been isolated on lymphocytes and other cells; however a receptor which transduces an activation signal has not been isolated as yet from responder cells which is missing or altered on C3H/HeJ nonresponder cells. Investigations into the signal transduction pathways used by C3H/HeJ B cells when they are activated by a protein mitogen have been found to be similar to those used by LPS responder cells when activated by LPS. Protein kinase C and tyrosine kinase, which phosphorylate signal proteins in cells have been found to be operative in C3H/HeJ and C3H/OuJ B cells. In both cases, DNA synthesis is shut off by either PKC or PTK blockade; however, PTK inhibition will also block activation of PKC stimulated DNA synthesis, indicating tyrosine kinase initiated phosphorylation may regulate the PKC signal pathway. Further analysis of the proteins that are phosphorylated in LPS responder and LPS nonresponder B cells is needed before conclusions can be drawn as to whether the defect in C3H/HeJ cells resides in the signal pathway leading to gene activation and proliferation. Nevertheless, the notion of a missing or defective signal receptor still remains as a working hypothesis to explain C3H/HeJ cell hyporesponsiveness to LPS. Isolation of the Lpsn gene and its product will provide the evidence needed for a clearer understanding of how LPS reacts with cells.

Immunomodulation of C3H/HeJ cells by endotoxin associated protein and lipopolysaccharide endotoxin.

Protein kinase C plays a vital role in the activation of C3H/HeJ B lymphocytes by endotoxin associated protein; however, it is unlikely that G proteins are involved in the early signals stimulated by EP. On the other hand, LPS suppresses C3H/HeJ B cell DNA synthesis induced by EP which may be the result of PKC down regulation. LPS inhibits C3H/HeJ B cells from progressing through the G1 phase of the cell cycle blocking RNA synthesis within the first 12 hr after the cells are stimulated. Finally, this inhibition extends to activation of the arachidonic acid metabolism in C3H/HeJ macrophages and T cell proliferation to a limited extent.

Intervenciones para adultos con dependencia funcional y sus cuidadores durante la pandemia de COVID-19 / Interventions for functionally dependent adults and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic

La pandemia de COVID-19 ha afectado a la población, perjudicando especialmente a los miembros de aquellos grupos sociales en situación de mayor vulnerabilidad. Estas poblaciones específicas, como aquellas con alguna dependencia funcional, podrían verse más afectadas por los efectos de la pandemia del COVID-19. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este artículo fue describir las intervenciones para preservar la salud general, mantener la función y la independencia y prevenir la infección por COVID-19 para los adultos con dependencia funcional (ADF). Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en bases de datos. Se revisaron los títulos y los resúmenes de cada publicación para determinar su relevancia. Dos revisores independientes accedieron a los artículos de texto completo para determinar su elegibilidad después de la selección inicial. Las búsquedas se realizaron en septiembre de 2021 y se actualizaron en enero y julio de 2022. La información encontrada se clasificó en 3 categorías: 1) ADF durante la pandemia de COVID-19; 2) ADF durante la pandemia de COVID-19 según una condición específica (condiciones neurológicas, discapacidades/deficiencias sensoriales y deterioro cognitivo), y 3) Adultos mayores con dependencia funcional. Los adultos con dependencia enfrentaron dificultades y barreras durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Las autoridades de cada país deben garantizar que los ADF tengan acceso a los servicios de rehabilitación en tiempos de crisis sanitaria. Además, es necesario aumentar la capacidad de los servicios de rehabilitación en tiempos de crisis como pandemias. De igual manera, se sugiere el fortalecimiento de estrategias como la telerehabilitación para evitar el deterioro o agravamiento de la funcionalidad de las personas dependientes. (AU)

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the world population, especially people from social groups in a situation of greater vulnerability among people with some functional dependency. Therefore, the aim of this review was to describe interventions during the pandemic to preserve general health, maintain function and independence, and prevent COVID-19 infection for functionally dependent adults (FDA). A systematic search in databases was carried out. Titles and abstracts of each publication were reviewed for relevance. Full-text articles were accessed by two independent reviewers. The information found was classified into three categories: 1) FDA during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2) FDA during the COVID-19 pandemic according to a specific condition (neurological conditions, sensory disabilities/impairments, and cognitive impairment), and 3) Older adults with functional dependence. The FDAs have faced difficulties and barriers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Strengthening strategies such as telerehabilitation is suggested to avoid deterioration or aggravation of the functionality of dependent people. (AU)

[Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors and survival in patients with "glioblastoma multiforme"]. / Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors and survival inpatients with "glioblastoma multiforme".

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival of patients with "glioblastoma multiforme", to analyse the prognostic factors influencing the survival rate and to review recent results in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy five patients underwent radiation treatment between May 1998 and April 2003. Among the factors under investigation we ascertained that sex, chemotherapy, conformal treatment, surgery, and the choice of the irradiation area (whole brain or only the involved field) did not influence the survival in a statistically significant manner. RESULTS: Whereas age and total dose were the 95% statistically significant variables. Hazard ratio of patients older than 58 years compared to younger patients was 1.69. The death risk was 69% in older than younger patients. A greater irradiation dose improved the survival with an increase of the median survival days. The total dose lower than 6000 cGy caused an increase of 81.8% in the death risk. The median survival from the diagnosis to the death was 14.7 months (446 days) and 1-, 2- and 3- year survival rate was 69.3%, 38.4%, and 14.7% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The current medical literature and our experience attests that the use of temozolomide improves the survival of these patients.