Element- and enantiomer-selective visualization of molecular motion in real-time.

Ultrafast optical-domain spectroscopies allow to monitor in real time the motion of nuclei in molecules. Achieving element-selectivity had to await the advent of time resolved X-ray spectroscopy, which is now commonly carried at X-ray free electron lasers. However, detecting light element that are commonly encountered in organic molecules, remained elusive due to the need to work under vacuum. Here, we present an impulsive stimulated Raman scattering (ISRS) pump/carbon K-edge absorption probe investigation, which allowed observation of the low-frequency vibrational modes involving specific selected carbon atoms in the Ibuprofen RS dimer. Remarkably, by controlling the probe light polarization we can preferentially access the enantiomer of the dimer to which the carbon atoms belong.

Facilitators and obstacles to the use of a cognitive orthosis for meal preparation within the homes of adults with a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury: Informal caregivers and health-care professionals' perspectives.

A cognitive orthosis named COOK was developed and implemented to facilitate meal preparation for adults with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) living in an alternative housing unit. This study aimed to explore facilitators and barriers to the potential use and implementation of COOK in a new context (i.e., within the homes of people living with a TBI in the community). For this purpose, 20 stakeholders (e.g., health-care professionals, clinical coordinators, informal caregivers of individuals with TBI) were interviewed. Participants identified various potential benefits of this technology (e.g., improving independence and confidence of people with TBI) and facilitators (e.g., clinical and technical supports, helpful functionalities) that could facilitate the use and implementation of COOK within a home environment. However, numerous questions remained unanswered regarding the logistics surrounding the implementation of such technology. Thus, further studies and modifications are required to facilitate future implementation of this technology among individuals living in their own homes.

Correlation between collective and molecular dynamics in pH-responsive cyclodextrin-based hydrogels.

UV Raman and Brillouin light scattering (BLS) experiments have been used in this study to explore the complex phase change behavior occurring in pH-responsive polysaccharide hydrogels as a function of temperature. Due to the different physical quantities measured by the two techniques, the joint analysis of Raman and BLS spectra has provided an unprecedented large-scale characterization of the molecular rearrangements and of the different kinds of hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions that cooperate to determine the phase transformation observed in these hydrogels during the heating of the gel. As the main result, the analysis of the Raman and BLS spectra showed the existence of a correlation between the local (molecular) and collective properties of the gels during the phase transformation undergone by the system, which is markedly triggered by pH. The joint set of experimental results suggests a model according to which the mechanism of pH dependence in the hydrogels under investigation is dominated by the interactions involving the hydrophobic parts of the polymer skeleton, whereas the solvation process observed under heating of the gels is driven by the progressive distancing of the polymer domains among them, as monitored by the Brillouin sound velocity.

Effect of resveratrol on some activities of isolated and in whole blood human neutrophils.

Resveratrol, which is a polyphenol present in red wines and vegetables included in human diets, exerts many biological effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate its effect on some activities of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, particularly the generation of superoxide anion ((O2)(-)) in whole blood, hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and nitric oxide (NO) production by isolated cells, and chemotaxis. Resveratrol showed significant dose-dependent inhibitory effect on all these activities. In particular, it inhibited O2(-) generation in stimulated but not in resting neutrophils, decreased HOCl much more than O2(-) production indicating an effect on myeloperoxidase secretion since HOCl production is directly and proportionally dependent on O2(-) generation and reduced cell motility. The small dose of resveratrol (4.38 nM) used is attainable with a diet including red wine and vegetables confirming its protective role against some pathological processes such as inflammation, coronary heart disease, and cancer.

Immunomodulatory effect of the homoeopathic drug Engystol-N on some activities of isolated human leukocytes and in whole blood.

Engystol-N at the doses of 10(-4) and 10(-8) in isolated human leukocytes stimulates the superoxide anion generation by neutrophils and the cytokine(s) production by T lymphocytes. In whole blood the same concentrations of the drug produce the decrease of the superoxide anion generation of neutrophils, this inhibiting activity appears 6 h after the administration of the drug and persists only in presence of lymphocytes. Culture media of T lymphocytes treated with Engystol-N show the same inhibiting effect on superoxide anion generation by neutrophils. From these data it is possible to conclude that the drug stimulates the secretion of lymphokine(s) with inhibiting action on superoxide anion generation of neutrophils that prevail over the direct stimulating effect, confirming and extending the immunomodulatory ability of the drug.

[Incidence of Chlamydia ocular infections in patients with conjunctivitis, at a private clinic of Uberaba, MG]. / Freqüência das infecções oculares por clamídia nos portadores de conjuntivite, em Clínica Particular de Uberaba, MG.

780 patients with recurrent conjunctival infections or persistent complaints of itching, burning pain, lacrimation and conjunctival hyperemia were subject to conjunctival smear examination for cytology and the presence of inclusion bodies. Two hundred and forty seven (31.7%) showed cytoplamic inclusions; 235 of them were subject to a direct specific immunofluorescency test with 90 (38.3%) positive results. The importance of the clinical manifestations and laboratory methods (direct immunofluorescence and research cytoplasmic inclusions) were considered. The patients are clients of a private clinic and have a moderate to hightor socioeconomic level.