ABSTRACT
The human body is in a never-ending chess game against pathogens. When the immune system, our natural defence tool, is weakened, these organisms are able to escape, overcoming the body's contingency plan, which results in the body going into a pathological state. To overcome this checkmate status, emerging nanomedicines have been successfully employed as one of the best tactics for boosting the immune response, manipulating the body's defence tools for the specific recognition/elimination of pathological cells via the active ingredient delivery. However, the vast majority of these drug-delivery systems (DDS) are considered to be exclusively passive vehicles, with nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (nanoMOFs) attracting a great deal of attention due to their versatility and ability to carry and deliver exceptional drug payloads and to modulate their biological bypass. Nonetheless, their intrinsic immunogenicity character has been never addressed. Considering the immense possibilities that nanoMOFs offer as a treatment platform, the present study aimed to unveil the immunological fingerprint of MOFs, including an in-deep evaluation of the cellular oxidation balance, the inflammation and recruitment of immune cells and the precise Th1/Th2 cytokine profile that is triggered. This study aims to gain insights that will make more feasible the design of customized immune-active MOF nanoplatforms according to targeted diseases, as the next ace up immune system sleeve.
ABSTRACT
Despite the great interest in RNA therapeutics, the development of a successful gene delivery process is still a major challenge. We propose an efficient nucleic acid entrapment into the mesopores of biocompatible nanoscaled metal-organic frameworks. Their rapid cellular uptake together with RNA protection and release led to a relevant in vitro gene activity.
Subject(s)
Drug Carriers , Gene Transfer Techniques , Iron , Metal-Organic Frameworks , RNA , Cell Line, Tumor , Drug Carriers/chemistry , Drug Carriers/pharmacokinetics , Drug Carriers/pharmacology , Humans , Iron/chemistry , Iron/pharmacokinetics , Iron/pharmacology , Metal-Organic Frameworks/chemistry , Metal-Organic Frameworks/pharmacokinetics , Metal-Organic Frameworks/pharmacology , RNA/chemistry , RNA/pharmacokinetics , RNA/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Nanometric biocompatible Metal-Organic Frameworks (nanoMOFs) are promising candidates for drug delivery. Up to now, most studies have targeted the intravenous route, related to pain and severe complications; whereas nanoMOFs for oral administration, a commonly used non-invasive and simpler route, remains however unexplored. We propose here the biofriendly preparation of a suitable oral nanocarrier based on the benchmarked biocompatible mesoporous iron(III) trimesate nanoparticles coated with the bioadhesive polysaccharide chitosan (CS). This method does not hamper the textural/structural properties and the sorption/release abilities of the nanoMOFs upon surface engineering. The interaction between the CS and the nanoparticles has been characterized through a combination of high resolution soft X-ray absorption and computing simulation, while the positive impact of the coating on the colloidal and chemical stability under oral simulated conditions is here demonstrated. Finally, the intestinal barrier bypass capability and biocompatibility of CS-coated nanoMOF have been assessed in vitro, leading to an increased intestinal permeability with respect to the non-coated material, maintaining an optimal biocompatibility. In conclusion, the preservation of the interesting physicochemical features of the CS-coated nanoMOF and their adapted colloidal stability and progressive biodegradation, together with their improved intestinal barrier bypass, make these nanoparticles a promising oral nanocarrier.
Subject(s)
Chitosan/metabolism , Enterocytes/metabolism , Nanoparticles/chemistry , Administration, Oral , Caco-2 Cells , Chitosan/administration & dosage , Chitosan/chemistry , Drug Liberation , Ferric Compounds/chemistry , Humans , Kinetics , Lysergic Acid Diethylamide/analogs & derivatives , Lysergic Acid Diethylamide/chemistryABSTRACT
El objetivo del presente artículo es destacar y validar la psicoeducación como herramienta en el proceso de intervención de enfermería en personas que presenten desviación de salud mental, específicamente esquizofrenia. Se describe el trabajo realizado por un grupo de estudiantes de enfermería, organizado en cuatro sesiones que tuvieron lugar en el Hogar Protegido "Nuevo Hogar", ubicado en la comuna de Independencia, Santiago de Chile, compuesto por 13 mujeres en etapa del ciclo vital de adulto mayor con antecedentes de esquizofrenia. El objetivo general pretendido es potenciar sus habilidades de autocuidado y a partir de ello lograr mayor autonomía y autosatisfacción, todo esto a través de la psicoeducación.
The aim of the present article is stand out and validate the psychoeducation as tool in the nursing process in persons who present mental health deviation, specifically schizophrenia. There is described the work realized by a group of nursing students, organized in 4 meetings who took place in the Protected Home "Nuevo hogar ", located in the commune of Independence, Santiago of Chile, composed by 13 women in stage of the vital cycle of major adult with precedents of schizophrenia. The general claimed aim is to promote his skills of autocare and from it to achieve major autonomy and autosatisfaction, all that across the psychoeducation.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Aged , Schizophrenia/diagnosis , Schizophrenia/nursing , Schizophrenia/epidemiology , Mental Disorders/nursing , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Recreation , Self Care , Students, Nursing , Aged/psychology , Oral HealthABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the efficacy of a digital nerve block for improving pulse oximetry in conditions of low tissue perfusion. METHOD: A randomized single-blind study of adult patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia for conditions characterized by hypoperfusion. Patients were assigned to a control group or an experimental group. The experimental group received a digital nerve block in the middle finger of the left hand; a sensor was then placed on the finger for between 120 and 300 minutes. Age, sex, diagnosis, total observation time (TOT), percentage of time with no pulse oximeter signal (NoPO), and percentage of time with an unstable pulse oximeter signal (UnstPO) were recorded. Each patient was questioned between 16 and 24 hours after surgery and was examined for flushing, paresthesia, hypoesthesia, pain, and ecchymosis. The chi2 test was used to compare dichotomized or nominal variables and the t test was used to compare age, TOT, NoPO, and UnstPO. Values of P<.05 were considered statistically significant in both cases. RESULTS: Fifty patients were randomized to each group. A total of 82 patients remained in the study (control group=42, experimental group=40). There were no significant between-group differences in diagnoses or TOT. The mean values for NoPO and UnstPO were higher in the control group than in the experimental group (11.1% vs 4.4% and 35.9% vs 15.7%, respectively; P<.001). CONCLUSION: A digital nerve block can be used to prevent pulse oximetry failures in conditions of low peripheral perfusion.
Subject(s)
Autonomic Nerve Block , Fingers/blood supply , Ischemia/blood , Oximetry/methods , Oxygen/blood , Adult , Aged , Equipment Failure , Female , Fingers/innervation , Hemorrhage/blood , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Peritonitis/blood , Shock/blood , Single-Blind Method , VasoconstrictionABSTRACT
OBJETIVO: Demostrar la eficacia del bloqueo de losnervios digitales (BND) para mejorar la oximetría depulso (OP) en condiciones de baja perfusión hística.MÉTODO: Pacientes adultos operados por afeccionescaracterizadas por hipoperfusión, conducidos con anestesiageneral, de forma aleatoria y con registros a simpleciego. Se asignaron a dos grupos: Grupo C (control) ygrupo B (experimental). El grupo B recibió un BND enel dedo medio de la mano izquierda donde se colocó elsensor con límites de tiempo entre 120 y 300 minutos. Seregistraron: edad, sexo, diagnóstico, tiempo total deobservación (TTO), porcentajes de tiempo con OP nodisponible (OPnodisp) y porcentaje de tiempo con OPinestable (OPinest). Entre 16 y 24 horas después de terminadala intervención se interrogó y examinó a cadapaciente en busca de rubor, parestesias, hipostesia,dolor y equimosis. Para las variables dicotómicas onominales se empleó la prueba χ2 y para comparar lasmedias de edad, TTO, OPnodisp, y OPinest, la prueba tde Student. En ambos casos con un nivel de significaciónde 0,05.RESULTADOS: Se asignaron 50 pacientes a cada grupo.Un total de 82 enfermos permanecieron en el ensayo(C=42 y B=40). No hubo diferencias significativas encuanto a diagnósticos ni TTO. En el grupo C los porcentajesde tiempo promedio con OPnodisp y OPinest fueronsuperiores (11,1% vs. 4,4% y 35,9% vs. 15,7%; respectivamente),p<0,001.CONCLUSIÓN: El BND es una alternativa para evitarlas fallas de OP en condiciones de baja perfusión periférica (AU)
OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the efficacy of a digitalnerve block for improving pulse oximetry in conditionsof low tissue perfusion.METHOD: A randomized single-blind study of adultpatients undergoing surgery under general anesthesiafor conditions characterized by hypoperfusion. Patientswere assigned to a control group or an experimentalgroup. The experimental group received a digital nerveblock in the middle finger of the left hand; a sensor wasthen placed on the finger for between 120 and 300minutes. Age, sex, diagnosis, total observation time(TOT), percentage of time with no pulse oximeter signal(NoPO), and percentage of time with an unstable pulseoximeter signal (UnstPO) were recorded. Each patientwas questioned between 16 and 24 hours after surgeryand was examined for flushing, paresthesia,hypoesthesia, pain, and ecchymosis. The χ2 test was usedto compare dichotomized or nominal variables and the ttest was used to compare age, TOT, NoPO, and UnstPO.Values of P<.05 were considered statistically significantin both cases.RESULTS: Fifty patients were randomized to eachgroup. A total of 82 patients remained in the study(control group=42, experimental group=40). Therewere no significant between-group differences indiagnoses or TOT. The mean values for NoPO andUnstPO were higher in the control group than in theexperimental group (11.1% vs 4.4% and 35.9% vs15.7%, respectively; P<.001).CONCLUSION: A digital nerve block can be used toprevent pulse oximetry failures in conditions of lowperipheral perfusion (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Oximetry/methods , Nerve Block/methods , Anesthesia/methods , Anesthetics/pharmacokinetics , Anesthesia/adverse effects , Monitoring, Intraoperative/methodsABSTRACT
Dust mite sensitization is considered a major risk factor for pediatric asthma; however, there are few data about early sensitization in Chilean children available. This study aimed to investigate allergic sensitization to mites in infancy and early childhood. The patient population, 224 children aged 0 to 5 years with suspected respiratory allergy, was divided into 3 groups of age: 1 to 12 months-old, 13 to 35 months-old, and 3 to 5 years-old. Sensitization status was ascertained by assessing the specific IgE to mite by UniCAP fluoroimmunoassay (Pharmacia). Sixty eight (30.6 percent) patients were sensitized to mites. The frequency and level of sensitization increased with the age of the children. Our data support that avoidance measures in the domestic environment aimed at the primary prevention of mite-driven sensitization should be introduced at the earliest possible stage.
La sensibilización a dermatofagoides es un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de asma. Hay escasa información sobre la sensibilización temprana en niños chilenos. Objetivo: Investigar la sensibilización a dermatofagoides en niños de 5 años y menores. Método: Revisión de resultados de IgE específica por ensayo UniCAP (Pharmacia) contra dermatofagoides de niños de hasta 5 años con sospecha de alergia respiratoria, divididos en 3 grupos de edad: 1-12 meses, 13-35 meses y 3-5 años. Resultados: Se estudió un total de 224 niños, entre 1 mes y 5 años de edad (x 2,65 años +/- 1,48 DS), 57,1 por ciento de sexo masculino. Su distribución según grupo etario fue: 66 en el grupo 1; 45 en el grupo 2 y 113 en el grupo 3. El 30,6 por ciento presentó sensibilización a dermatofagoides (18,2 por ciento grupo 1; 33,3 por ciento grupo 2 y 36,3 por ciento grupo 3). El grupo 3 presentó concentraciones de IgE específica significativamente más elevadas que los otros grupos. Conclusiones: La sensibilización a dermatofagoides es detectable en menores de un año, con frecuencia y nivel que aumentan en forma paralela a la edad.
Subject(s)
Humans , Animals , Male , Female , Infant , Child, Preschool , Child , Dermatophagoides farinae/immunology , Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus/immunology , Hypersensitivity, Immediate/immunology , Age Factors , Allergens/adverse effects , Allergens , Fluoroimmunoassay/methods , Respiratory Hypersensitivity/diagnosis , Immunoglobulin E/analysis , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Dissolved organic materials released by the freshwater microalgae Scenedesmus acuminatus were fractionated into low- and high-molecular weight materials, which were investigated for their capacity to bind copper. The high-molecular weight material was also investigated for its monosaccharide composition and is further discussed in relation to the copper binding property. S. acuminatus was grown in batch cultures under laboratory controlled conditions and harvested at the beginning of stationary growth phase when exuded organic materials were obtained. Copper-complexing property of the total exuded organic materials and exopolysaccharides before and after freeze-drying was evaluated by complexometric titrations and Scatchard Plot Analysis of the titration data. The results revealed the presence of two copper-complexing ligands in the total exuded material, but only one in the exopolysaccharide. Stronger copper-complexing ligands are associated to low molecular weight compounds (LogK'1=7.3, LogCL1=-5.6; LogK'2=6.3, LogCL2=-5.1), whereas weaker ligands to the high molecular weight fraction (LogK'2=6.4, LogCL2=-5.6). Although freeze-drying the polymeric organic material (exopolysaccharide) may result in conformational changes of the molecule, no effect on copper-complexing properties was detected. Gas chromatography was used to evaluate the monosaccharide composition of the microalgal exopolysaccharide, which detected high content of mannose and 12% of acid monosaccharides.
Subject(s)
Copper/chemistry , Polysaccharides/chemistry , Scenedesmus/chemistry , Scenedesmus/physiology , Ligands , Organic Chemicals , Scenedesmus/growth & development , Solubility , Water PollutantsABSTRACT
The aim of this work was to define antibody levels against four neumococcal serotypes, before and after neumococcal vaccination in patients with respiratory infections. Fifty one patients were studied, 19 children from 1 to 5 yeras old, 19 children from 6 to 18 years old and 22 adults from 27 to 65 years old. IgG anti-neumococcal, antibodies, against serotypes 3, 7F, 9N and 14 were measured using an enzyme immunoassay, before and four weeks after vaccination. There was a significant increase in antibody titers against all serotypes in subjects older 7 yeras. In children of less than 6 yeras, the response to serotype 14 was non significant. The intensity of response differed according to the studied serotypes and the percentage of patients that responded to each serotype increased with age. Five patients older than 18 years were identified as non responders to all four serotypes. It is concluded that neumococcal vaccine increases anti-neumococcal antibodies in patients with recurrent infections and allows the identification of patients with specific antibody deficiency syndromes and normal total immunoglobulin levels
