Intracardiac vascular access in haemodialysis: A last resort for exhausted traditional access.

Depletion of veins for dialysis access is a challenging life threatening situation for patients in need of haemodialysis. The utilisation of intracardiac catheter is a rare procedure with scarce reported experience. We describe the case of a 68-year-old male that contributes to the limited knowledge of performing a life-saving intracardiac catheter placement for emergency haemodialysis in a patient without immediate alternative renal replacement therapy available. We also retrospectively analyse the experience reported so far and summarise complications and outcomes. In our case, the patient was able to pursue haemodialysis after intracardiac catheter placement without any complications. Two weeks later, the patient successfully received a kidney transplant from a deceased donor and has a serum creatinine of 1.7 mg/dL after 2 years of follow-up. There are only four reported cases of kidney transplantation after the procedure, including our own. Intracardiac catheter is an emerging option that could be considered in certain patients as the last resort. Further investigation with regards to patient candidacy and procedure security are necessary.

Nanosized metal-organic frameworks as unique platforms for bioapplications.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are extremely versatile materials, which serve to create platforms with exceptional porosity and specific reactivities. The production of MOFs at the nanoscale (NMOFs) offers the possibility of creating innovative materials for bioapplications as long as they maintain the properties of their larger counterparts. Due to their inherent chemical versatility, synthetic methods to produce them at the nanoscale can be combined with inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) to create nanocomposites (NCs) with one-of-a-kind features. These systems can be remotely controlled and can catalyze abiotic reactions in living cells, which have the potential to stimulate further research on these nanocomposites as tools for advanced therapies.

Attomolar detection of 4-aminothiophenol by SERS using silver nanodendrites decorated with gold nanoparticles.

In the present work we report a simple, fast, reproducible and cheap methodology for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate fabrication of silver dendritic nanostructures (prepared by electrodeposition) decorated with gold nanospheres by electrophoretic deposition. This is the first report where a metal dendritic nanostructure has been decorated with another type of metal nanoparticles by this technique. The decorated nanostructures were used directly as SERS substrate using 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) as analyte. The objective of the decoration is to create more hot-spots in order to detect the analyte in a lower concentration. Decorated nanodendrites had a detection limit one million times lower than bare silver nanodendrites and all the substrates showed an increase in the Raman intensity at concentrations below 1 nM; because this concentration corresponds to the threshold for the formation of a monolayer resulting in a triple mechanism of intensity increase, namely electric field, chemical factor and hot-spots. 4-ATP was detected in attomolar concentration, which is below 1 ppq, corresponding to an analytical enhancement factor in the order of 1015.

High-yield halide-assisted synthesis of metal-organic framework UiO-based nanocarriers.

The synthesis of nanosized metal-organic frameworks (NMOFs) is requisite for their application as injectable drug delivery systems (DDSs) and other biorelevant purposes. Herein, we have critically examined the role of different synthetic parameters leading to the production of UiO-66 crystals smaller than 100 nm. Of note, we demonstrate the co-modulator role conferred by halide ions, not only to produce NMOFs with precise morphology and size, but also to significantly improve the reaction yield. The resulting NMOFs are highly crystalline and exhibit sustained colloidal stability in different biologically relevant media. As a proof of concept, these NMOFs were loaded with Rhodamine 6G (R6G), which remained trapped in most common biologically relevant media. When incubated with living mammalian cells, the R6G-loaded NMOFs were efficiently internalized and did not impair cell viability even at relatively high doses.

Zeptomolar detection of 4-aminothiophenol by SERS using silver nanodendrites decorated with gold nanoparticles.

In the present work, we report a simple, fast, reproducible and cheap methodology for SERS substrate fabrication of silver dendritic nanostructures (prepared by electrodeposition) decorated with gold nanospheres by electrophoretic deposition. This is the first report where a metal dendritic nanostructure has been decorated with another type of metal nanoparticles by this technique. The decorated nanostructures were used directly as SERS substrate using 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) as analyte. The objective of the decoration is to create more hot-spots in order to detect the analyte in a lower concentration. Decorated nanodendrites had a detection limit one million times lower than bare silver nanodendrites and all the substrates showed an increase in the Raman intensity at concentrations below 1 nM; because this concentration corresponds to the threshold for the formation of a monolayer resulting in a triple mechanism of intensity increase, namely electric field, chemical factor and hot-spots. 4-ATP was detected in zeptomolar concentration, which is below 1 ppq, corresponding to an analytical enhancement factor in the order of 1015.

Plasmonic-Assisted Thermocyclizations in Living Cells Using Metal-Organic Framework Based Nanoreactors.

We describe a microporous plasmonic nanoreactor to carry out designed near-infrared (NIR)-driven photothermal cyclizations inside living cells. As a proof of concept, we chose an intramolecular cyclization that is based on the nucleophilic attack of a pyridine onto an electrophilic carbon, a process that requires high activation energies and is typically achieved in bulk solution by heating at ∼90 °C. The core-shell nanoreactor (NR) has been designed to include a gold nanostar core, which is embedded within a metal-organic framework (MOF) based on a polymer-stabilized zeolitic imidazole framework-8 (ZIF-8). Once accumulated inside living cells, the MOF-based cloak of NRs allows an efficient diffusion of reactants into the plasmonic chamber, where they undergo the transformation upon near-IR illumination. The photothermal-driven reaction enables the intracellular generation of cyclic fluorescent products that can be tracked using fluorescence microscopy. The strategy may find different type of applications, such as for the spatio-temporal activation of prodrugs.

Biological Impact of Phenolic Compounds from Coffee on Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading death-related diseases worldwide, usually induced by a multifactorial and complex process, including genetic and epigenetic abnormalities and the impact of diet and lifestyle. In the present study, we evaluated the biological impact of two of the main coffee polyphenols, chlorogenic acid (CGA) and caffeic acid (CA), as well as two polyphenol-rich coffee extracts (green coffee extract and toasted coffee Extract) against SW480 and SW620 colorectal cancer cells. First, the total phenolic content and the antioxidant capability of the extracts were determined. Then, cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT and SBR. Finally, a wound healing assay was performed to determine the impact on the cell migration process. The results showed a cytotoxic effect of all treatments in a time and dose-dependent manner, which decreased the viability in both cell lines at 24 h and 48 h; likewise, the migration capability of cells decreased with low doses of treatments. These results suggest the potential of coffee to modulate biological mechanisms involved in colorectal cancer development; however, more studies are required to understand the mechanistic insights of these observations.

Acute Renal Failure in Kidney Transplantation Due to Subcapsular Hematoma After a Renal Allograft Biopsy: Report of Two Cases and Literature Review.

The compression of the renal parenchyma due to a subcapsular hematoma, also known as the "Page kidney," is a potentially serious but treatable complication of renal biopsy. Hypertension is very common and, in some cases, renal failure may be present. In kidney transplantation, it is a not well-described entity. Rapid intervention is essential to avoid irreversible damage of the graft and preserve its function. We report 2 cases of acute renal failure due to Page kidney in patients with renal transplant after a percutaneous biopsy with successful recovery after surgical treatment. In addition, we conducted a literature review in order to describe the clinical characteristics of this infrequent complication in patients with a history of renal transplant.

Control químico y biológico de larvas de Aedes aegypti en la costa norte de Jalisco, México / Chemical and biological control on Aedes aegypti larvae in the northern coastal region of Jalisco, Mexico

Introducción: el aumento de enfermedades transmitidas por mosquitos se ha asociado a cambios globales: el crecimiento de la población, la urbanización y el cambio climático. Dentro de las alternativas para evitar epidemias están el control químico y biológico. Objetivos: determinar las concentraciones efectivas de tres compuestos químicos para el control de larvas de Aedes aegypti en la región costa norte de Jalisco, México, y evaluar la capacidad predatoria de diversas especies acuáticas sobre larvas de mosquitos. Métodos: se evaluaron cinco concentraciones de temefos (1,5; 1; 0,1; 0,05 y 0,01 g/L), hipoclorito de sodio (5,5; 0,55; 0,05; 0,005 y 0,0005 g/L) y detergente (10; 5; 1; 0,5; 0,1 g/L). Se determinó la muerte de las larvas a 1, 3, 6 y 24 h y se calculó la CL50. Se evaluaron cuatro especies de peces, un crustáceo y una larva de díptero culícido. Se les suministraron diferentes cantidades de larvas (5, 10, 30, 50 y 80) por quintuplicado y se registró su consumo a diferentes tiempos (1, 3, 5, 9 y 24 h). Resultados: el temefos provocó el 100 por ciento de mortalidad en todas las concentraciones probadas. El NaClO provocó mortalidad del 100 por ciento en las dos concentraciones más altas. El detergente fue más eficiente a las tres concentraciones mayores. Los peces demostraron un consumo de casi el 100 por ciento en la mayoría de las densidades probadas. La larva de díptero culícido demostró un consumo cercano al 80 por ciento, el crustáceo solo consumió el 53 por ciento Conclusiones: el uso del temefos debe continuar siendo el larvicida químico de elección en Puerto Vallarta, México. La utilización de peces nativos se sugiere como adecuada para el control biológico(AU)

Introduction: the increase of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes has been associated to global changes such as the population growth, urbanization and climate change. Among the alternatives to avoid epidemics are the chemical and biological control. Objectives: to determine effective concentrations of three chemical compounds to control Aedes aegypti larvae in the northern coastal region of Jalisco and to evaluate the predatory ability of various aquatic species on mosquito larvae. Methods: five concentrations of temephos of (1.5, 1, 0.1; 0.05 and 0.01 g/L), sodium hypochlorite (5.5, 0.55, 0.05, 0,005 and 0.0005 g/L) and detergent (10, 5, 1, 0.5, 0.1 g/L) were evaluated. Larval death was estimated at different times (1, 3, 5, 9 and 24 h) and the LC50 was calculated. Four fish species, one crustacean and one dipteral culicid larva were evaluated. All were provided with different numbers of larvae (5, 10, 30, 50 and 80) five times and the larval consumption was recorded at different times (1, 3, 5, 9 and 24 h). Results: temephos caused 100 percent mortality of larvae in all tested concentrations. The NaClO caused 100 percent mortality at the two highest concentrations. The detergent was more efficient at the three higher concentrations. Fish proved to be efficient predators of larvae, as they consumed almost 100 percent of larvae in most of tested densities. The diptera culicid larva reached around 80 percent consumption whereas crustacean consumed only 53 percent. Conclusions: the use of temephos should remain the chemical larvicide of choice in Puerto Vallarta region. Native fish are suggested to be used as appropriate biological control agents(AU)

[Predatory capacity of Macrobrachium tenellum on Aedes aegypti larvae in lab conditions]. / Capacidad depredadora del langostino Macrobrachium tenellum sobre larvas de Aedes aegypti en condiciones de laboratorio.

INTRODUCTION: in the last few years, a lot of importance has been given to natural predators against Aedes aegypti. Several organisms have been studied both in lab and in the field so as to find out their capacity to devour mosquito larvae. High densities of Macrobrachium tenellum are found in natural conditions, it is not aggressive and may stand wide ranges of temperature, rates of salinity and oxygen concentrations. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the predatory capacity of Macrobrachium tenellum on Aedes aegypti larvae in lab conditions. METHODS: very young Macrobrachium tenellum prawns measuring A(3.0-3.5cm) and B (4.5-5 cm) were used. The mosquito larvae were obtained after hatching of egss from adult females kept in entomological cages. Five, ten, fifteen and twenty Aedes aegypti larvae were placed per treatment per rank, whereas the second bioassays adjusted the number of larvae to 30, 40, 50 and 80 larvae per treatment per rank. RESULTS: Macrobrachium tenellum showed high rate of larval consumption for the two ranks and treatments. In the highest density (80 larvae), the consumption was 95% of larvae at 24 hours for rank A and 100% for rank B. CONCLUSIONS: Macrobrachium tenellum may be considered as a potential biological control agent, due to its abundant presence in natural conditions, its resistance to different environmental conditions and to its voraciousness seen in this study.