Evaluation of the antitumor activity of albendazole using Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers as surface mediated drug delivery system.

This study demonstrates the application of Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films as biomimetic drug reservoirs and delivery systems to investigate the effect of an anthelmintic on cancer cell culture. The repurposing of benzimidazole anthelmintics for cancer therapy due to their microtubule-inhibiting properties has gained attention, showing promising anticancer effects and tumor-suppressive properties. Although widely used in medicine, the low aqueous solubility of benzimidazole compounds poses challenges for studying their effects on cancer cells, requiring incorporation into various formulations. Our study demonstrates that incorporating albendazole into stable Palmitic Acid Langmuir monolayers, forming Langmuir-Blodgett films, significantly affects the proliferation of liver carcinoma cells. This report presents the initial findings of the effect of an antitumoral drug on cancer cell culture using a simple and repeatable methodology.

Physicochemical changes in Amaranthus spp grains, flour, isolated starch, and nanocrystals during germination and malting.

Amaranth is a pseudocereal that contains between 50 and 60% starch, gluten-free protein, and essential amino acids. This study investigates the physicochemical changes in Amaranthus spp. grains, flour, isolated starch and nanocrystals during germination and malting. The moisture content increased from 8.9% to 41% over 2 h of soaking. The percentage of germination increased rapidly, reaching 96% after 60 h, a remarkable advantage over other cereals. The nutrient composition varied, including protein synthesis and lipid degradation. Lipid concentration decreased during malting, except for soaking, which increased by 62%. Scanning electron microscopy shows that germination does not cause morphological changes on the outer surface of the grains, while transmission electron microscopy indicates the presence of isolated nanocrystals with orthorhombic crystal structure confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The viscosity profile shows a decrease in peak viscosity. Therefore, amaranth is a potential pseudocereal that can be used as an additive in the production of fermented beverages.

Actitudes negativas e interiorización de mitos hacia las personas trans en estudiantes mexicanas de Trabajo Social / Negative attitudes and internalization of myths towards trans people in Mexican Social Work students

Resumen Debido al arquetipo tradicional del género como una construcción binaria, la visibilidad emergente de la comunidad trans sigue siendo una cuestión social cargada de mitos y actitudes discriminatorias. El objetivo de este trabajo fue construir y validar dos escalas, una de actitudes negativas hacia las personas transexuales y transgénero y otra sobre la interiorización de mitos sobre las personas trans. Se trabajó con una muestra aleatoria estratificada de 302 mujeres de la Facultad de Trabajo Social de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL) en Monterrey (México). La escala de actitudes está conformada por 26 ítems agrupados en tres dimensiones y la escala de interiorización de mitos hacia la transexualidad, por 25 ítems agrupados en cuatro dimensiones. Ambos instrumentos se diseñaron con formato de respuesta tipo Likert con puntajes de 1 a 5. El ajuste de ambas escalas se probó mediante indicadores de consistencia interna, con valores satisfactorios de alfa de Cronbach en cuanto a la escala de actitudes (transfobia institucional: .878, malestar personal: .882, desviación/cambiabilidad: .745) y para la escala de mitos (conducta y orientación sexual: .739, sistema sexo/género: .638, relacional: .769, aspectos psicológicos y medicalización: .835). Por otro lado, se realizó el análisis de modelamiento por ecuaciones estructurales y se obtuvieron índices de ajuste satisfactorios y relaciones aceptables entre las escalas. Se encontraron puntuaciones más altas en la escala de mitos que en la escala de actitudes; esto se explica en parte por la reproducción de acciones estigmatizantes hacia las personas trans. Se corrobora que las actitudes y los mitos se correlacionan de forma directa entre sí.

Abstract Due to the traditional archetype of gender as a binary construction, the emerging visibility of the transgender community (transsexuals, transgender and transvestites) remains as a social issue with myths and discriminatory attitudes. Also, it is generally accepted that social attitudes toward minority groups are related to opinions about policy affecting those groups. After reviewing past literature and existing measures about attitudes towards transgendered people, it is well-known that their construction includes items referring to attitudes, myths and stereotypes. This study aimed to develop and validate two scales: (1) Attitudes toward transgender scale (attitudes scale); and (2) Myths about transgender individuals (myths scale). Quantitative analysis comes from a stratified random sampling of Social Work undergraduate female students (n = 302) at the Faculty of Social Work of the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), in Mexico (95 % confidence level and 5 % margin of error). The attitudes scale evaluates the responses for a total of 38 items (14 inverted) divided into 3-item subscales: institutional transphobia, personal discomfort, and deviance/changeability. The myths scale includes a total of 39 items (13 inverted) grouped into 4-item subscales: sexual behavior and orientation, the sex/gender system, relational aspects (labor issues and social influence), and psychological aspects and medicalization. In this study, undergraduate students completed a survey containing both scales and a number of validity-testing variables. Each item took the form of a statement with which participants were asked to rate their agreement on a 5-point Likert-type scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Within each half of the questionnaire, items were rotated randomly to minimize potential order effects in participant's responses. Higher scores indicated greater anti-transgender prejudice, while lower scores indicated less prejudice. Items in which saturation is similar in two or more factors are excluded from the analysis, and items with greater relevance in the attitudinal scale and better theoretical dimension are maintained. The attitudes scale consists of 26 items and the myths scale, 25 items. Initial test of the scale's Cronbach's alpha(s) indicated that sub-scales are highly reliable as follows: for the attitude scale's alpha(s) (institutional transphobia: .878, personal discomfort: .882, deviation/changeability: .745); and for the myths scale alpha(s) (sexual behavior and orientation: .739, sex/gender system: .638, relational: .769, psychological aspects and medicalization: .835). Next, the hypothesized structural model was tested to evaluate the unique relationships of each scale and its subscales. Overall, fit index values of the structural model were found for the myths scale and the attitudes scale. These results explain the reproduction of stigmatizing actions towards transgender people. Also, it is confirmed that attitudes and myths are directly correlated with each other. In methodological terms, the results demonstrate that the attitudes scale and myths scale, as well as its subscales independently, offer a consistent, valid and useful measure of attitudes toward transgender community. Based on the results, it is confirmed that ignorance about transsexual and transgender people represent an influential factor for discriminatory attitudes; the deepness of the myths about transgender people are outlined as means of production of stereotypes. Taking into consideration the intolerance towards LGTBI community and especially towards transsexual people, the use of scales to determine the level of aversion and the internalization of myths is particularly important to prevent situations of victimization. This study contributes to research on anti-transgender prejudice by examining the relations of such prejudice with a number of theoretically relevant constructs. Results from this study suggest that anti-transgender prejudice is more closely related to sexual orientation and gender role-specific attitudes. Future studies are seeking to address other populations such as education and labor institutions, in order to design preventive engagements concerning attitudes about transphobia, transmission of erroneous information and actions to prevent the re-victimization of transgender people in different contexts.

BOPHY-Fullerene C60 Dyad as a Photosensitizer for Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy.

A novel BOPHY-fullerene C60 dyad (BP-C60 ) was designed as a heavy-atom-free photosensitizer (PS) with potential uses in photodynamic treatment and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated applications. BP-C60 consists of a BOPHY fluorophore covalently attached to a C60 moiety through a pyrrolidine ring. The BOPHY core works as a visible-light-harvesting antenna, while the fullerene C60 subunit elicits the photodynamic action. This fluorophore-fullerene cycloadduct, obtained by a straightforward synthetic route, was fully characterized and compared with its individual counterparts. The restricted rotation around the single bond connecting the BOPHY and pyrrolidine moieties led to the formation of two atropisomers. Spectroscopic, electrochemical, and computational studies disclose an efficient photoinduced energy/electron transfer process from BOPHY to fullerene C60 . Photodynamic studies indicate that BP-C60 produces ROS by both photomechanisms (type I and type II). Moreover, the dyad exhibits higher ROS production efficiency than its individual constitutional components. Preliminary screening of photodynamic inactivation on bacteria models (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) demonstrated the ability of this dyad to be used as a heavy-atom-free PS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that not only a BOPHY-fullerene C60 dyad is reported, but also that a BOPHY derivative is applied to photoinactivate microorganisms. This study lays the foundations for the development of new BOPHY-based PSs with plausible applications in the medical field.

El sexting como vía de materialización de la violencia: prácticas y consecuencias en alumnado universitario de Nuevo León y Jalisco / Sexting as a means of materializing violence: practices and consequences in university students of Nuevo León and Jalisco

El sexting hace referencia a la recepción, envío y/o reenvío de fotografías, videos y/o mensajes de texto de contenido erótico-sexual a través del teléfono y/o medios virtuales. Se propone este estudio con el objetivo de determinar si las variables relativas al sexo, la situación sentimental, las creencias religiosas y el nivel de instrucción son determinantes en las actitudes, las conductas y las consecuencias del sexting en el alumnado universitario de Nuevo León y Jalisco. Mediante una metodología cuantitativa y un muestreo aleatorio simple se analizó una muestra de 610 alumnos de la Licenciatura de Trabajo Social de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León y la Universidad de Guadalajara. Los resultados revelan que el 79,5% realiza sexting pasivo y el 53,6% sexting activo; asimismo el 27,9% declara haber recibo coacciones, el 10,8% chantajes y el 4% burlas. Con base en estos resultados se considera necesario proponer medidas preventivas desde el ámbito educativo y comunitario.

Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers holding a wound healing active compound and its effect in cell culture. A model for the study of surface mediated drug delivery systems.

Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films holding a synthetic bioinspired wound healing active compound were used as drug-delivery platforms. Palmitic acid Langmuir monolayers were able to incorporate 2-methyltriclisine, a synthetic Triclisine derivative that showed wound healing activity. The layers proved to be stable and the nanocomposites were transferred to solid substrates. Normal human lung cells (Medical Research Council cell strain 5, MRC-5) were grown over the monomolecular Langmuir-Blodgett films that acted as a drug reservoir and delivery system. The proliferation and migration of the cells were clearly affected by the presence of 2-methyltriclisine in the amphiphilic layers. The methodology is proposed as a simple and reliable model for the study of the effects of bioactive compounds over cellular cultures.

[Literature review on studies of women who have sex with women]. / Revisión narrativa sobre estudios de mujeres que tienen sexo con mujeres.

Women who have sex with other women are a group that has been mostly invisible from public health policies. This category includes the group of lesbians, bisexual women, heterosexual behaviour, and homosexual practices, who have sexual relations with transsexual and transgender (trans) women and trans men who have sex with women. In the absence of a Spanish literature review of a study that addresses women who have sex with other women, a narrative bibliographic review was done using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Dialnet, and Taylor and Francis databases. From a universe of 679 articles and after applying the inclusion criteria, 40 documents were analysed, from 1998 to 2019. Three meta-categories were identified (sexual education, the incidence of certain sexually transmitted infections, and aspects related to sexual practices), concerning prevention and risky behaviours. Women who have sex with other women are a particularly vulnerable group when it comes to sexually transmitted infections. These may include bacterial vaginitis, human papillomavirus and acquired immunodeficiency virus. Likewise, there is a lack of specific training and information in health and education professionals, as well as in women who have sex with other women.

Las mujeres que tienen sexo con otras mujeres son un colectivo invisibilizado en gran parte de las políticas públicas de salud. Comprende el conjunto de mujeres lesbianas, bisexuales, con conductas heterosexuales y con prácticas homosexuales, que tienen relaciones sexuales con mujeres transexuales y/o transgénero (trans) y hombres trans que tienen sexo con mujeres. Al no identificar una revisión bibliográfica en español sobre estudios que aborden las mujeres que tienen sexo con otras mujeres, se plantea una revisión narrativa haciendo uso de las bases de datos MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Dialnet y Taylor and Francis; a partir de un universo de 679 artículos. Tras aplicar los criterios de inclusión, se analizaron 40 documentos insertos en un intervalo comprendido entre 1998 y2019. A través de los cuales se identificaron tres metacategorías refrentes a cuestiones relacionadas con la educación sexual, la incidencia de determinadas infecciones de transmisión sexual y aspectos relacionados con prácticas sexuales, tanto preventivas como de riesgo. Los resultados obtenidos ponen de manifiesto que las mujeres que tienen sexo con otras mujeres son un grupo especialmente vulnerable en lo que se refiere a infecciones de transmisión sexual y, especialmente, en la vaginosis bacteriana, el virus del papiloma humano y el virus de inmunodeficiencia adquirida. Asimismo, se constata la falta de formación e información específica en los profesionales del ámbito sanitario y educativo, así como en las mujeres que tienen sexo con otras mujeres, lo cual se reproduce tanto en el imaginario como en las prácticas sexuales que llevan a cabo.

Antimicrobial Photodynamic Polymeric Films Bearing Biscarbazol Triphenylamine End-Capped Dendrimeric Zn(II) Porphyrin.

A novel biscarbazol triphenylamine end-capped dendrimeric zinc(II) porphyrin (DP 5) was synthesized by click chemistry. This compound is a cruciform dendrimer that bears a nucleus of zinc(II) tetrapyrrolic macrocycle substituted at the meso positions by four identical substituents. These are formed by a tetrafluorophenyl group that possesses a triazole unit in the para position. This nitrogenous heterocyclic is connected to a 4,4'-di(N-carbazolyl)triphenylamine group by means of a phenylenevinylene bridge, which allows the conjugation between the nucleus and this external electropolymerizable carbazoyl group. In this structure, dendrimeric arms act as light-harvesting antennas, increasing the absorption of blue light, and as electroactive moieties. The electrochemical oxidation of the carbazole groups contained in the terminal arms of the DP 5 was used to obtain novel, stable, and reproducible fully π-conjugated photoactive polymeric films (FDP 5). First, the spectroscopic characteristics and photodynamic properties of DP 5 were compared with its constitutional components derived of porphyrin P 6 and carbazole D 7 moieties in solution. The fluorescence emissions of the dendrimeric units in DP 5 were more strongly quenched by the tetrapyrrolic macrocycle, indicating photoinduced energy transfer. In addition, FDP 5 film showed the Soret and Q absorption bands and red fluorescence emission of the corresponding zinc(II) porphyrin. Also, FDP 5 film was highly stable to photobleaching, and it was able to produce singlet molecular oxygen in both N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and water. Therefore, the porphyrin units embedded in the polymeric matrix of FDP 5 film mainly retain the photochemical properties. Photodynamic inactivation mediated by FDP 5 film was investigated in Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. When a cell suspension was deposited on the surface, complete eradication of S. aureus and a 99% reduction in E. coli survival were found after 15 and 30 min of irradiation, respectively. Also, FDP 5 film was highly effective to eliminate individual bacteria attached to the surface. In addition, photodynamic inactivation (PDI) sensitized by FDP 5 film produced >99.99% bacterial killing in biofilms formed on the surface after 60 min irradiation. The results indicate that FDP 5 film represents an interesting and versatile photodynamic active material to eradicate bacteria as planktonic cells, individual attached microbes, or biofilms.

Formation of dendrimer-guest complexes as a strategy to increase the solubility of a phenazine N, N'-dioxide derivative with antitumor activity.

Poly(amidoamine) and Poly(propylenimine) dendrimers with different generations and peripheral groups were studied as solubility enhancers and nanocarriers for 7-bromo-2-hydroxy-phenazine N 5,N 10-dioxide. This compound possesses potential antitumoral and anti-trypanosomal activity, but its low solubility in physiological media precludes its possible application as therapeutic drug. The amino terminated dendrimers association with the active compounds as observed trough NMR studies showed that electrostatic interactions are essential in the solubilization enhancement process. The obtaining of a stable and no cytotoxic formulation makes the drug-carried association a suitable strategy for the generation of a drug delivery system for phenazine derivatives.

Hidronefrosis como causa de poliglobulia secundaria / Hydronephrosis as a cause of secondary polyglobulia

La policitemia primaria es producida por una mutación adquirida o heredada en las células progenitoras de los glóbulos rojos, mientras que la poliglobulia secundaria está relacionada con un aumento de la eritropoyetina sérica como respuesta a la hipoxia tisular o a la producción autónoma tumoral. Hace más de medio siglo que se conoce que la hidronefrosis puede actuar como una rara causa de eritrocitosis debido al aumento de producción de eritropoyetina por un riñón que censa una disminución de oxígeno, mecanismo también observado en la estenosis de la arteria renal y en los quistes renales. Se describe a continuación el caso de un paciente de 38 años con poliglobulia atendido en el Hospital Italiano de San Justo (Argentina), que presenta como hallazgo una hidronefrosis unilateral severa y cuya resolución quirúrgica a través de una nefrectomía revierte el cuadro hematológico de base. (AU)

Primary polycythemia is produced by an acquired or inherited mutation in progenitor cells of red blood cells, while secondary polyglobulia is related to an increase in serum erythropoietin in response to tissue hypoxia or autonomous tumor production. Since the middle of the twentieth century, the hydronephrosis is known to be a rare etiology of secondary polycythemia, with increased erythropoietin production caused by diminished oxygen sensing by the kidney, also seen in renal artery stenosis and kidney cysts. We describe a case of a 38 year old patient with polycythemia studied in the "Hospital Italiano de San Justo" (Argentina) that presented an incidental severe unilateral hydronephrosis, and nephrectomy was carried out as a final resolution of the hematological disorder. (AU)

Formation and characterization of Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films of Newkome-type dendrons in presence and absence of a therapeutic compound, for the development of surface mediated drug delivery systems.

Organic macromolecules with dendrimeric architectures are polymeric materials potentially useful as nanocarriers for therapeutic drugs. In this work, we evaluate a series of Newkome-type dendrons in Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films as platforms capable of interacting with a potential antitumoral agent. The nanocomposite is proposed as model for the development of surface mediated drug delivery systems. We were successful in the formation and characterization of pure (dendrons) and composite (drug-dendron) stable and reproducible monolayers, and their transfer to solid substrates. A detailed study of topographic characteristics of the generated surfaces by atomic force microscopy was conducted. Furthermore, we probed dendron monolayer films as anchorage surfaces for mammalian cells. Normal cell attachment and proliferation on the surfaces were observed. No evident cytotoxic effects were detected, demonstrating the adequate biocompatibility of the surfaces.

Determinantes sociales de la salud y convergencias en agendas de salud de organismos regionales de América del Sur / Social determinants of health and convergence in health agendas of regional agencies in South America

Objetivo. Caracterizar áreas de cooperación interinstitucional y agendas con-vergentes de salud de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud/Organización Mundial de la Salud (OPS/OMS), del Consejo de Salud de la Unión de Naciones Suramericanas (UNASUR) y de la Organización del Tratado de Cooperación Amazónica (OTCA) en América del Sur a partir de los determinantes sociales de la salud. Métodos. Estudio cualitativo basado en fuentes documentales oficiales de las tres organizaciones. El abordaje metodológico desarrolló un análisis comparativo sobre las agendas de salud de esos organismos y la Declaración de Río (2011). La sistematización de la información se realizó por medio de una matriz analítica que identifica convergencias en las respectivas agendas. Resultados. La formulación de las agendas de salud de estos organismos recibe influencias de diversas fuerzas internacionales tales como la política externa de los Estados Miembros, estrategias y modelos de cooperación internacional y lineamientos político-estratégicos de las instituciones. Estas agendas revelan esfuerzos por fortalecer bloques, mecanismos de cooperación y acciones programáticas articuladas. Conclusiones. Las agendas de la OPS/OMS, del Consejo de Salud de la UNASUR y de la OTCA apuntan posibilidades de convergencias en diversas áreas programáticas, con énfasis en los determinantes sociales de la salud. A partir de los acuerdos globales de la Declaración de Río como un marco analítico que establece recomendaciones en cinco esferas decisorias, es posible desarrollar acciones de cooperación estructurante en los países de la región, mediadas en conjunto por estos organismos.

Objective. Characterize areas of interinstitutional cooperation and converging health agendas of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), the Health Council of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), and the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) in South America based on social determinants of health. Methods. A qualitative study based on official documentary sources from the three organizations, using a comparative analysis of the health agendas of these agencies and the Rio Political Declaration on Social Determinants of Health (2011). Information was systematized using an analytical matrix that identifies convergences in the respective agendas. Results. Development of the health agendas of these agencies is influenced by various international forces such as Member States’ foreign policy, international cooperation strategies and models, and the institutions’ political and strategic guidelines. These agendas reveal efforts to strengthen blocs, cooperation mechanisms, and coordinated programmatic actions. Conclusions. The agendas of PAHO/WHO, the UNASUR Health Council, and ACTO point towards opportunities for convergence in various programmatic areas, emphasizing social determinants of health. Based on the overall agreements of the Rio Declaration as an analytical framework with recommendations in five decisionmaking spheres, structural cooperation actions can be carried out in the region’s countries, jointly mediated by these agencies.

[Social determinants of health and convergence in health agendas of regional agencies in South America]. / Determinantes sociales de la salud y convergencias en agendas de salud de organismos regionales de América del Sur.

OBJECTIVE: Characterize areas of interinstitutional cooperation and converging health agendas of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), the Health Council of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), and the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) in South America based on social determinants of health. METHODS: A qualitative study based on official documentary sources from the three organizations, using a comparative analysis of the health agendas of these agencies and the Rio Political Declaration on Social Determinants of Health (2011). Information was systematized using an analytical matrix that identifies convergences in the respective agendas. RESULTS: Development of the health agendas of these agencies is influenced by various international forces such as Member States' foreign policy, international cooperation strategies and models, and the institutions' political and strategic guidelines. These agendas reveal efforts to strengthen blocs, cooperation mechanisms, and coordinated programmatic actions. CONCLUSIONS: The agendas of PAHO/WHO, the UNASUR Health Council, and ACTO point towards opportunities for convergence in various programmatic areas, emphasizing social determinants of health. Based on the overall agreements of the Rio Declaration as an analytical framework with recommendations in five decision-making spheres, structural cooperation actions can be carried out in the region's countries, jointly mediated by these agencies.

Violencia en parejas transexuales, transgénero e intersexuales: una revisión bibliográfica / Violence in transsexual, transgender and intersex couples: a systematic review

La violencia de pareja afecta a personas transexuales, transgénero e intersexuales y así se visibiliza en investigaciones a nivel nacional e internacional. En este estudio teórico se ha llevado a cabo una revisión sistemática de las investigaciones realizadas con estos colectivos. Se realiza una revisión exhaustiva de las principales bases de datos con el fin de identificar todos los estudios relativos a esta temática. Se obtiene un total de 28 investigaciones sobre violencia en parejas transexuales, transgénero e intersexuales. De las cuales se ha analizado el tipo de muestra, el método e instrumento utilizado, así como sus principales resultados. Los resultados ponen de relieve que la aproximación de estudio más frecuentemente utilizada es la de tipo cuantitativo, especialmente centrada en el colectivo transexual. En relación a la prevalencia se observa una gran variabilidad, con un rango del 18 al 80%, constituyendo un problema de salud pública. Las mujeres trans son las que sufren más significativamente esta violencia, siendo más frecuentemente el miembro normativo de la pareja quien la ejerce. El heterosexismo y la transfobia se han identificado como factores de riesgo. Finalmente se plantea la importancia de incorporar el abordaje de la violencia en relaciones de pareja donde al menos uno de los miembros es transexual, transgénero o intersexual en los programas de prevención de violencia de género.

Intimate partner violence affects transsexual, transgender and intersex individuals and has been approached by national and international research. This theoretical study has carried out a systematic review of research conducted with these groups. An exhaustive review of the main databases was performed to identify all the studies that focus on this subject. Overall, 28 studies were obtained on violence in transsexual, transgender and intersex couples. In each study, we analyzed the type of sample, method and instrument that were used, as well as the main results. The results highlight that the quantitative approach is the most common one, focusing especially on the transsexual community. Concerning prevalence, we observed a great variability, ranging from 18 to 80%, constituting a public health problem. Trans women are the ones who most suffer this type of violence, and the "gender-normative" member of the couple is most frequently the aggressor. Heterosexism and transphobia were identified as risk factors. Finally, the importance of including intimate partner violence in relationships in which at least one of the members is transsexual, transgender or intersex in gender violence prevention programs is highlighted.

Photodynamic inactivation of bacteria using novel electrogenerated porphyrin-fullerene C60 polymeric films.

A porphyrin-fullerene C60 dyad (TCP-C60) substituted by carbazoyl groups was used to obtain electrogenerated polymeric films on optically transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes. This approach produced stable and reproducible polymers, holding fullerene units. The properties of this film were compared with those formed by layers of TCP/TCP-C60 and TCP/ZnTCP. Absorption spectra of the films presented the Soret and Q bands of the corresponding porphyrins. The TCP-C60 film produced a high photodecomposition of 2,2-(anthracene-9,10-diyl)bis(methylmalonate), which was used to detect singlet molecular oxygen O2((1)Δg) production in water. In addition, the TCP-C60 film induced the reduction of nitro blue tetrazolium to diformazan in the presence of NADH, indicating the formation of superoxide anion radical. Moreover, photooxidation of L-tryptophan mediated by TCP-C60 films was found in water. In biological media, photoinactivation of Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated depositing a drop with 2.5 × 10(3) cells on the films. After 30 min irradiation, no colony formation was detected using TCP-C60 or TCP/TCP-C60 films. Furthermore, photocytotoxic activity was observed in cell suspensions of S. aureus and Escherichia coli. The irradiated TCP-C60 film produced a 4 log decrease of S. aureus survival after 30 min. Also, a 4 log reduction of E. coli viability was obtained using the TCP-C60 film after 60 min irradiation. Therefore, the TCP-C60 film is an interesting and versatile photodynamic active surface to eradicate bacteria.

Synthesis and photovoltaic applications of a 4,4'-spirobi[cyclopenta[2,1-b;3,4-b']dithiophene]-bridged donor/acceptor dye.

A new donor/acceptor (D-A) spiro dye (SCPDT1) featuring two bithiophene units, connected through an sp(3)-hybridized carbon atom, was prepared by a multistep synthetic sequence involving the convenient assembly of the spiro system under mild catalytic conditions. The photocurrent spectrum of dye-sensitized solar cells incorporating SCPDT1 covers the spectral region ranging from 350 to 700 nm and reaches a wide maximum of ~80% in the 420-560 nm range. Power conversion efficiencies of up to 6.02% were obtained.

Spirobifluorene-bridged donor/acceptor dye for organic dye-sensitized solar cells.

A new dye, SSD1, featuring two donor/acceptor chromophores aligned in a spiro configuration with two anchoring groups separated at a distance of 10.05 A (closely matching the distance between the adsorption sites of the anatase TiO(2) surface) undergoes efficient dye adherence on TiO(2) films. A dye-sensitized solar cell incorporating SSD1 exhibited a short-circuit current of 8.9 mA cm(-2), an open-circuit voltage of 0.63 V, a fill factor of 0.67, and a power conversion efficiency of 3.75%.