Evaluation of the synergistic effects of curcumin-resveratrol co-loaded biogenic silica on colorectal cancer cells.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health concern, being the third most diagnosed cancer in men and the second most diagnosed cancer in women, with alarming mortality rates. Natural phytochemicals have gained prominence among various therapeutic avenues explored due to their diverse biological properties. Curcumin, extracted from turmeric, and resveratrol, a polyphenol found in several plants, have exhibited remarkable anticancer activities. However, their limited solubility and bioavailability hinder their therapeutic efficacy. To enhance the bioavailability of these compounds, nanomaterials work as effective carriers with biogenic silica (BS) attracting major attention owing to their exceptional biocompatibility and high specific surface area. In this study, we developed Curcumin-resveratrol-loaded BS (Cur-Res-BS) and investigated their effects on colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT-116 and Caco-2). Our results demonstrated significant concentration-dependent inhibition of cell viability in HCT-116 cells and revealed a complex interplay of crucial proto-onco or tumor suppressor genes, such as TP53, Bax, Wnt-1, and CTNNB1, which are commonly dysregulated in colorectal cancer. Notably, Cur-Res-BS exhibited a synergistic impact on key signaling pathways related to colorectal carcinogenesis. While these findings are promising, further investigations are essential to comprehensively understand the mechanisms and optimize the therapeutic strategy. Moreover, rigorous safety assessments and in vitro studies mimicking the in vivo environment are imperative before advancing to in vivo experiments, ensuring the potential of Cur-Res-BS as an efficient treatment for CRC.

Nanoarchitectonics of an acetogenin-enriched nanosystem mediated by an aqueous extract ofAnnona cherimolaMill with anti-inflammatory and proapoptotic activity against HepG2 cell line.

For the first time, this study shows the nanoarchitectonic process to obtain an acetogenin-enriched nanosystem (AuNPs-Ac) using an aqueous extract fromAnnona cherimolaMill (ACM) composed of gold nanoparticles embedded in an organic matrix that acts as stabilizing agent and presents anti-inflammatory activity and cytotoxical effect against HepG2 cell line, promoting apoptosis. The synthesis of AuNPs-Ac was confirmed by x-ray diffraction analysis, showing metallic gold as the only phase, and the scanning transmission microscope showed an organic cap covering the AuNPs-Ac. Fourier-transformed infrared suggests that the organic cap comprises a combination of different annonaceous acetogenins, alkaloids, and phenols by the presence of bands corresponding to aromatic rings and hydroxyl groups. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography has demonstrated the presence of annonacin, a potent acetogenin, in the extract of ACM. Anin vitroanti-inflammatory activity of the extract of ACM and the AuNPs-Ac was performed using the albumin denaturation method, showing a nonlinear response, which is better than sodium diclofenac salt in a wide range of concentrations that goes from 200 to 400µg ml-1with both samples. The viability assay was studied using trypan blue, treating IMR90 and HepG2 at different concentrations of AuNPs-Ac. The results defined a median lethal dose of 800µg ml-1against HepG2 through apoptosis according to the ratio of caspase-cleaved 9/alpha-tubulin evaluated. It was also demonstrated that the nanosystem presents a higher cytotoxic effect on the HepG2 cell line than in IMR90, suggesting a targeted mechanism. In addition, the nanosystem performs better than using only the extract of ACM in the anti-inflammatory or antiproliferative test, attributed to their higher surface area.

Green nanoarchitectonics of carbon quantum dots from Cinchona Pubescens Vahl as targeted and controlled drug cancer nanocarrier.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are a new carbon-based nanomaterial that has attracted tremendous attention due to their excellent fluorescent properties, chemical stability, water solubility, and biocompatibility features. Here, fluorescent CQDs synthesized by a green nanoarchitectonic method using Cinchona Pubescens Vahl extract were evaluated as drug nanocarriers for carboplatin (CBP) delivery. The characterization methods showed CQDs with semispherical shapes and sizes around 5 nm, temperature- and pH-dependent functional groups that interact with the CBP molecule adding specificity to the drug-delivery system. Based on the load efficiency results, it seems that the CQDs can carry almost 100 µg of carboplatin for every 1 mg of CQDs. This is possible due to the self-assembly process that takes place through the interaction between the protonation/deprotonation functional groups of CQDs and the hydrolyzed CBP molecule. Through this process, it is created spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 77.44 nm. The CQDs-CBP nanoparticles release the drug through a diffusion-controlled release mechanism where the acidic media is preferred, and the EPR effect also plays a helpful role. Besides, the viability test shows that the CQDs have almost null cytotoxicity suggesting that they could be used as a promising cancer treatment, improving the efficiency of cell internalization and significantly increasing their drug delivery.

Sargassum natans I Algae: An Alternative for a Greener Approach for the Synthesis of ZnO Nanostructures with Biological and Environmental Applications.

In this work, the influence of the Sargassum natans I alga extract on the morphological characteristics of synthesized ZnO nanostructures, with potential biological and environmental applications, was evaluated. For this purpose, different ZnO geometries were synthesized by the co-precipitation method, using Sargassum natans I alga extract as stabilizing agent. Four extract volumes (5, 10, 20, and 50 mL) were evaluated to obtain the different nanostructures. Moreover, a sample by chemical synthesis, without the addition of extract, was prepared. The characterization of the ZnO samples was carried out by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the Sargassum alga extract has a fundamental role in the stabilization process of the ZnO nanoparticles. In addition, it was shown that the increase in the Sargassum alga extract leads to preferential growth and arrangement, obtaining well-defined shaped particles. ZnO nanostructures demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory response by the in vitro egg albumin protein denaturation for biological purposes. Additionally, quantitative antibacterial analysis (AA) showed that the ZnO nanostructures synthesized with 10 and 20 mL of extract demonstrated high AA against Gram (+) S. aureus and moderate AA behavior against Gram (-) P. aeruginosa, depending on the ZnO arrangement induced by the Sargassum natans I alga extract and the nanoparticles' concentration (ca. 3200 µg/mL). Additionally, ZnO samples were evaluated as photocatalytic materials through the degradation of organic dyes. Complete degradation of both methyl violet and malachite green were achieved using the ZnO sample synthesized with 50 mL of extract. In all cases, the well-defined morphology of ZnO induced by the Sargassum natans I alga extract played a key role in the combined biological/environmental performance.

Biological activity of a chitosan-carboxymethylcellulose-zinc oxide and calcium carbonate in 3D scaffolds stabilized by physical links for bone tissue engineering.

Today, regenerative osteogenesis represents a clinical need, due to the incidence of bone defects that involve groups of pathologies ranging from congenital anomalies to traumatic injuries, as well as problems presented surgically. This is why the design of a polymeric biomaterial (scaffold) of chitosan, carboxymethylcellulose, zinc oxide, and calcium carbonate with similar characteristics in terms of composition and bone structure offers high potential to help address this health problem. The technique for obtaining the scaffolds of this research was to develop a physical hydrogel to have the biofunctionality of the active groups of the polymer chains used, then make use of the lyophilization process to obtain three-dimensional (3D) porous scaffolds. The physicochemical and biological properties of the scaffolds were evaluated. The scaffolds presented morphology with pore size and interconnectivity that favor the need for cell proliferation and viability. The biocompatibility tests confirm that the designed scaffolds do not present cytotoxicity and the analyzes with alizarin red staining show calcium deposits in the materials with CaCO3 and ZnO. Osteoinduction assays to osteogenic lineage using runt-related transcription factor type 2 (RUNX2) and collagen type 1 (COL-1) antibodies allowed expression in differentiated cells. Therefore, the calcium carbonate-containing scaffolds stabilized by physical bonds have characteristics of being non-cytotoxic, bioactive, and osteoinductive, which motivate their use in future tests to evaluate their demeanor with rat models for bone engineering studies.

Green Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of Gold Nanoparticles of a Controlled Size and Shape Obtained Using Shock Wave Extracts from Amphipterygium adstringens.

In this study, green chemistry was used as a tool to obtain gold nanoparticles using Amphipterygium adstringens extracts as a synthesis medium. Green ethanolic and aqueous extracts were obtained using ultrasound and shock wave-assisted extraction. Gold nanoparticles with sizes ranging between 100 and 150 nm were obtained with ultrasound aqueous extract. Interestingly, homogeneous quasi-spherical gold nanoparticles with sizes between 50 and 100 nm were achieved with shock wave aqueous-ethanolic extracts. Furthermore, 10 nm gold nanoparticles were obtained by the traditional methanolic macerate extraction method. The physicochemical characteristics, morphology, size, stability, and Z potential of the nanoparticles were determined using microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. The viability assay in leukemia cells (Jurkat) was performed using two different sets of gold nanoparticles, with final IC50 values of 87 µM and 94.7 µM, reaching a maximum cell viability decrease of 80% The results do not indicate a significant difference between the cytotoxic effects produced by the gold nanoparticles synthesized in this study and vincristine on normal lymphoblasts (CRL-1991).

Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of ZnO Nanoparticles Synthesized by a Green Method Using Sargassum Extracts.

The present work shows the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles through a green method, using sargassum extracts, which provide the reducing and stabilizing compounds. The conditions of the medium in which the reaction was carried out was evaluated, that is, magnetic stirring, ultrasound assisted, and resting condition. UV-Vis, FTIR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction results confirmed the synthesis of ZnO with nanometric crystal size. The scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the morphology and size of the particles depends on the synthesis condition used. It obtained particles between 20 and 200 nm in the sample without agitation, while the samples with stirring and ultrasound were 80 nm and 100 nm, respectively. ZnO nanoparticles showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive S. aureus and Gram-negative P. aeruginosa. A quantitative analysis was performed by varying the concentration of ZnO nanoparticles. In all cases, the antibacterial activity against Gram-positives was greater than against Gram-negatives. Ultrasound-assisted ZnO nanoparticles showed the highest activity, around 99% and 80% for S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, respectively. Similar results were obtained in the study of the anti-inflammatory activity of ZnO nanoparticles; the ultrasound-assisted sample exhibited the highest percentage (93%), even above that shown by diclofenac, which was used as a reference. Therefore, the ZnO nanoparticles synthesized with sargassum extracts have properties that can be used safely and efficiently in the field of biomedicine.

3D scaffolds of caprolactone/chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol/hydroxyapatite stabilized by physical bonds seeded with swine dental pulp stem cell for bone tissue engineering.

Bone Regeneration represents a clinical need, related to bone defects such as congenital anomalies, trauma with bone loss, and/or some pathologies such as cysts or tumors This is why a polymeric biomaterial that mimics the osteogenic composition and structure represents a high potential to face this problem. The method of obtaining these materials was first to prepare a stabilized hydrogel by means of physical bonds and then to make use of the lyophilization technique to obtain the 3D porous scaffolds with temperature conditions of -58 °C and pressure of 1 Pa for 16 h. The physicochemical and bioactive properties of the scaffolds were studied. FTIR and TGA results confirm the presence of the initial components in the 3d matrix of the scaffold. The scaffolds exhibited a morphology with pore size and interconnectivity that promote good cell viability. Together, the cell viability and proliferation test, Alamar BlueTM and the differentiation test: alizarin staining, showed the ability of physically stabilized scaffolds to proliferate and differentiate swine dental pulp stem cell (DPSCs) followed by mineralization. Therefore, the Cs-PCL-PVA-HA scaffold stabilized by physical bonds has characteristics that suggest great utility for future complementary in vitro tests and in vivo studies on bone defects. Likewise, this biomaterial was enhanced with the addition of HA, providing a scaffold with osteoconductive properties necessary for good regeneration of bone tissue. Graphical abstract.

Ecofriendly and sustainable Sargassum spp.-based system for the removal of highly used drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Analgesic consumption increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. A high concentration of this kind of drug is discarded in the urine, reaching the effluents of rivers, lakes, and seas. These medicines have brought serious problems for the flora and, especially, the ecosystems' fauna. This paper presents the results of removing diclofenac, ibuprofen, and paracetamol in an aqueous solution, using Sargassum spp. from the Caribbean coast. The study consisted of mixing each drug in an aqueous solution with functionalized Sargassum spp in a container under constant agitation. Therefore, this work represents an alternative to solve two of the biggest problems in recent years; first, the reduction of the overpopulation of sargassum through its use for the remediation of the environment. Second is the removal of drug waste used excessively during the COVID-19 pandemic. Liquid samples of the solution were taken at intervals of 10 min and analyzed by fluorescence to determine the concentration of the drug. The sorption capacity for diclofenac, ibuprofen, and paracetamol was 2.46, 2.08, and 1.41 µg/g, corresponding to 98 %, 84 %, and 54 % of removal, respectively. The removal of the three drugs was notably favored by increasing the temperature to 30 and 40 °C, reaching efficiencies close to 100 %. Moreover, the system maintains its effectiveness at various pH values. In addition, the Sargassum used can be reused for up to three cycles without reducing its removal capacity. The wide diversity of organic compounds favors the biosorption of drugs, removing them through various kinetic mechanisms. On the other hand, the Sargassum used in the drugs removal was analyzed by X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, TGA analysis, and scanning electron microscopy before and after removal. The results showed an evident modification in the structure and morphology of the algae and demonstrated the presence of the biosorbed drugs. Therefore, this system is sustainable, simple, economical, environmentally friendly, highly efficient, and scalable at a domestic and industrial level that can be used for aquatic remediation environments.

Characterization and Evaluation of Composite Biomaterial Bioactive Glass-Polylactic Acid for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications.

The limitations associated with the clinical use of autographs and allografts are driving efforts to develop relevant and applicable biomaterial substitutes. In this research, 3D porous scaffolds composed of bioactive glass (BG) obtained through the sol-gel technique and polylactic acid (PLA) synthesized via lactic acid (LA) ring-opening polymerization were prepared by the gel-pressing technique. Two different weight compositions were evaluated, namely, BG70-PLA30 and BG30-PLA70. The structure and morphology of the resulting scaffolds were analysed by FTIR, XRD, SEM, and under ASTM F1635 standard characterizations. The results confirmed that BG promotes the formation of a hydroxy-carbonated apatite (HAp) layer on composites when immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF). Biodegradability evaluations were carried out according to the ISO 10993-13:2010 standard. In addition, electrochemical evaluations were performed in both Hank's and SBF solutions at 37 °C in order to analyse the degradation of the material. This evaluation allowed us to observe that both samples showed an activation mechanism in the early stages followed by pseudo-passivation due to physical bioactive glass characteristics, suggesting an improvement in the formation of the HAp nucleation. The described composites showed excellent resistance to degradation and outstanding suitability for bone tissue engineering applications.

Size and surface-energy dependence of the adsorption/desorption equilibrium in ethanol electro-oxidation by Pd-nanoparticles. Theory and experiment.

The relation between current and voltage in the electro-oxidation of ethanol by metal nanoparticles depends on experimental parameters like the applied potential, peak potential, temperature, the electron-transfer coefficient, and the number of molecules adsorbed at active sites on the nanoparticle surface. In this form, the oxidation current depends on the ability of the nanoparticles to adsorb the ethanol molecules. Though the Laviron model well describes this phenomenology, few studies focus on the dependence of the oxidation current on the size and surface properties of the metal nanoparticles. Here, we present an experimental and theoretical study that comprises the synthesis of palladium-based nanoparticles and the generalization of the Laviron model that allows determining the dependence of the oxidation current on the size, surface energy, and adsorption-desorption properties of the nanoparticles for the ethanol oxidation. The determination of the adsorption-desorption equilibrium and the electro-oxidation current dependence with the physicochemical properties of the materials was carried out by electrochemical characterization.

Engineered titania nanomaterials in advanced clinical applications.

Significant advancement in the field of nanotechnology has raised the possibility of applying potent engineered biocompatible nanomaterials within biological systems for theranostic purposes. Titanium dioxide (titanium(IV) oxide/titania/TiO2) has garnered considerable attention as one of the most extensively studied metal oxides in clinical applications. Owing to the unique properties of titania, such as photocatalytic activity, excellent biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and low toxicity, titania nanomaterials have revolutionized therapeutic approaches. Additionally, titania provides an exceptional choice for developing innovative medical devices and the integration of functional moieties that can modulate the biological responses. Thus, the current review aims to present a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of TiO2-based nanotherapeutics and the corresponding future challenges.

Green Synthesis of Homogeneous Gold Nanoparticles Using Sargassum spp. Extracts and Their Enhanced Catalytic Activity for Organic Dyes.

Sargassum species-based extracts were used to carry out the synthesis of homogeneous gold nanoparticles. Various techniques were used to determine the characteristics and composition of the nanoparticles. The UV-Vis results showed that the 50% water/ethanol extract had the most reducing agents and stabilizers. Therefore, this type of extract was used to synthesize nanoparticles and for their subsequent characterization. Crystallinity and crystal size were evaluated using X-ray diffraction. Size and morphology were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, showing that the gold nanoparticles were mostly spherical, with a size range of 15-30 nm. The catalytic activity of the gold nanoparticles was evaluated through the degradation of organic dyes: methylene blue, methyl orange, and methyl red. The degradation rates were different, depending on the nature of each dye, the simplest to degrade was methylene blue and methyl red was the most difficult to degrade. The results indicated that the use of Sargassum spp. for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles has potential in the remediation of water that is contaminated with organic dyes. Moreover, given the recent serious environmental and economic problems caused by the overpopulation of Sargassum spp. in the Mexican Caribbean, the findings hold promise for their practical and sustainable use in the synthesis of nanomaterials.

Developing a CNT-SPE Sensing Platform Based on Green Synthesized AuNPs, Using Sargassum sp.

Detection and quantification of diverse analytes such as molecules, cells receptor and even particles and nanoparticles, play an important role in biomedical research, particularly in electrochemical sensing platform technologies. In this study, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) prepared by green synthesis from Sargassum sp. were characterized using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential (ζ) obtaining organic capped face-centered cubic 80-100 nm AuNPs with an excellent stability in a wide range of pH. The AuNPs were used to modify a carbon nanotubes-screen printed electrode (CNT-SPE), through the drop-casting method, to assemble a novel portable electrochemical sensing platform for glucose, using a novel combination of components, which together have not been employed. The ability to sense and measure glucose was demonstrated, and its electrochemical fundamentals was studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV). The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) to glucose were 50 µM and 98 µM, respectively, and these were compared to those of other sensing platforms.

Synthesis and Characterization of Inulin-Based Responsive Polyurethanes for Breast Cancer Applications.

In this study, new polyurethanes (PUs) were prepared by using inulin and polycaprolactone as polyols. Their structure and morphology were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman dispersive spectroscopy, Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR and 13C NMR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), whereas their mechanical properties were evaluated by a universal testing machine. Additionally, their water uptake, swelling behavior, and degradation were evaluated to be used as drug delivery carriers. Therefore, an anti-cancer drug was loaded to these PUs with 25% of loading efficiency and its release behavior was studied using different theoretical models to unveil its mechanism. Finally, the ability of the new PUs to be used as a clip marker in breast biopsy was evaluated. The results clearly demonstrate that these PUs are safe and can be used as intelligent drug release matrices for targeted drug delivery and exhibits positive results to be used for clip marker and in general for breast cancer applications.

Técnica morfométrica en el diagnóstico diferencial de hiperplasia endometrial compleja y adenocarcinoma endometroide. Matanzas; 2014-2015 / Morphometric technique in the differential diagnosis of complex endometrial hyperplasia and endometroid adenocarcinoma. Matanzas; 2014-2015

RESUMEN Introducción: la función del endometrio está regida por el eje hipotálamo hipofisario mediante las hormonas sexuales por lo que es vulnerable a los desórdenes de este sistema los que provocan diferentes trastornos funcionales que se traducen en alteraciones morfológicas. Es fundamental su estudio para el diagnóstico de patologías que son un problema de salud en la población femenina. Objetivo: determinar las diferencias morfométricas para el diagnóstico histopatológico diferencial entre la hiperplasia endometrial compleja, el adenocarcinoma endometrioide y en el endometrio proliferativo normal, en el municipio Matanzas, enero2014 -2015. Material y Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal y se aplicó morfometría a una muestra de 30 biopsias endometriales, con el objetivo de determinar las diferencias morfométricas para el diagnóstico histopatológico diferencial entre la hiperplasia endometrial compleja, el adenocarcinoma endometrioide y en el endometrio proliferativo normal. Resultados: el área total de la glándula fue la variable analizada que mostró mayores valores y reflejó marcadas diferencias entre la hiperplasia endometrial compleja, el adenocarcinoma endometrioide y el endometrio proliferativo normal, seguida por la altura del epitelio por tanto existen diferencias cuando se estudian variables que tiene en cuenta la morfología glandular. Conclusiones: existen diferencias morfométricas entre la hiperplasia endometrial y el adenocarcioma endometroide cuando se estudian variables que tienen en cuenta la morfología y arquitectura glandular (AU).

SUMMARY Introduction: the endometrium function is ruled by the pituitary- hypothalamus axis by means of sexual hormones; therefore it is vulnerable to the disorders of this system provoking different functional disorders resulting in morphological alterations. It is very important to study them for the sake of the diagnosis of diseases that are a health problem in female population. Objective: to determine the morphometric differences for the differential histopathological diagnosis among the complex endometrial hyperplasia, the endometrioid adenocarcinoma and the normal proliferative endometrium e, in the municipality of Matanzas, in the period January 2014-2015. Methods: a cross-sectional descriptive observational study was carried out applying morphometry to a sample of 30 endometrial biopsies, with the objective of determining the morphometric differences for the differential histopathological diagnosis among the complex endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial adenocarcinoma and normal proliferative endometrium. Results: the gland total area was the used variable showing more values and revealed stark differences among complex endometrial hyperplasia, endometrioid adenocarcinoma and normal proliferative endometrium, followed by the epithelium height; hence there are differences when variables are studied taking into account glandular morphology. Conclusions: there are morphometric differences between endometrial hyperplasia and endometrioid adenocarcinoma when there are studied variables taking into account glandular morphology and architecture (AU).

Shock wave-assisted extraction of phenolic acids and flavonoids from Eysenhardtia polystachya heartwood: A novel method and its comparison with conventional methodologies.

Phenolic compounds, obtained from plants are important in the food, biomaterial and pharmaceutical industries; however current extraction methods, such as Soxhlet (solid-liquid) extraction, liquid-liquid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and ultrasonic extraction (USE), have the disadvantages of large processing times, contamination by solvents, and degradation of analytes. This study demonstrates that shock wave-assisted extraction can be used as a more efficient, eco-friendly and rapid method. Extraction of powdered samples of Eysenhardtia polystachia heartwood, a plant with high concentration of phenolic compounds, exposed to different doses of underwater shock waves, was compared with the conventional methods. Our results revealed that shock wave-assisted extraction (1500 shock waves with a peak positive pressure of approximately 88 MPa) produced 34.54% and 31.95% higher contents than Soxhlet and USE, respectively. Extraction times using shock waves were much shorter than with all other methods tested, proving that it is an attractive method to obtain both phenolic acids and flavonoids without the need for organic solvents. Furthermore, shock waves produced a significantly higher content of total reducing sugars than Soxhlet extraction and less phenolic acids which gives the insight of a more selective extraction of components.

Meningiomas intracraneales. Experiencia de dos años en el servicio Neurocirugía de Matanzas / Intracranial meningiomas. Two-year experience in the service Neurosurgery of Matanzas

RESUMEN Introducción: los meningiomas constituyen la segunda causa de tumores cerebrales primarios, en el adulto. Representan hasta el 32 % del total de los mismos. Objetivo: describir el comportamiento del meningioma intracraneal en los pacientes investigados. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio analítico, descriptivo, retrospectivo a los pacientes neurointervenidos con meningioma intracraneal, en el Servicio de Neurocirugía del Hospital Docente Universitario "Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández", de la provincia Matanzas. En el período comprendido entre el 1ero de enero de 2017 al 1ero de enero del 2019. Los 15 pacientes intervenidos conformaron el universo de estudio. Resultados: la media poblacional fue de 55 años. Predominó el sexo femenino en un 73,3 %. La cefalea fue la manifestación clínica más frecuente, igualmente, que los meningiomas de la convexidad cerebral. En cuanto a la topografía, la media del tamaño de la lesión fue de 4,4 cm. La variedad meningotelial (40 %) fue la que predominó. El grado II de resección fue el que más se empleó. El edema cerebral postquirúrgico predominó en un 26,6 %. La puntuación de la escala de Karnofsky al egreso fue superior que al ingreso. Conclusiones: cuanto más precoz se realice el diagnóstico clínico y tratamiento quirúrgico en los pacientes portadores de meningioma, mejor será su calidad de vida al egreso (AU).

ABSTRACT Introduction: meningiomas are the second cause of primary brain tumors in adults, representing up to 32 % of the total. Objective: to describe the behavior of intracranial meningioma in the studied patients. Materials and methods: a retrospective, descriptive, analytical study was conducted on neurosurgery patients with intracranial meningioma in the Neurosurgery service of the University Teaching Hospital "Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández" of the province of Matanzas, in the period from January 1st 2017 to January 1st, 2019. The 15 patients undergoing neurosurgery were the study universe. Results: the population mean was 55 years; female sex prevailed (73.3 %). Headache was the most frequent clinical manifestation as well as meningiomas of cerebral convexity in terms of topography. The average lesion size was 4.4 cm; the meningothelial variety (40 %) was the most commonly found; grade II resection was the most used one. Post-surgical cerebral edema (26.6%) predominated. Karnofsky scale score at discharge was higher than at admission. Conclusions: the earlier the clinical diagnosis and surgical treatment are performed in patients with meningioma the better will be their quality of life at discharge (AU).

Electrochemical Study of a Hybrid Polymethyl Methacrylate Coating using SiO2 Nanoparticles toward the Mitigation of the Corrosion in Marine Environments.

The demand for hydrophobic polymer-based protective coatings to impart high corrosion resistance has increased recently. The increase of the hydrophobicity in a hybrid coating is a new challenge, for that reason and in order to protect a metallic surface of oxidant agents, a poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) coating with the addition of a different amount of silicon dioxide (SiO2) was developed. The hybrid coating was applied on a sample of stainless steel AISI 304 by the dip-coating method. The characterization of the coatings was determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and with a scanning electrochemical microscopy. The best coatings were PMMA and PMMA + SiO2 0.01% that exhibits a real impedance in the Nyquist diagram of 760 and 427,800 MΩ⋅cm2, respectively, and the modulus of the real impedance in the Bode diagram present values of 2.2 × 108 and 3.3 × 108 Ω⋅cm2. Moreover, the phase angle presents constant values around 75° to 85° and 85° for the PMMA and PMMA + SiO2 0.01%, respectively. Moreover, the values of the real resistance for the PMMA + SiO2 0.01% coating present values in the order of Mega-ohms despite the coating exhibits an artificial defect in their surface. The contact angle test showed that the hydrophobicity of the hybrid PMMA + SiO2 0.01% coating is higher than that of the pure PMMA coatings. The hybrid PMMA + SiO2 coatings developed in this work are a very interesting and promising area of study in order to develop efficient products to protect metallic surfaces from corrosion phenomenon.

Fluorescence decay rate of selected compounds from Eysenhardtia polystachya extracts and their viability as biosensors.

Eysenhardtia polystachya (EP) is an endemic Mexican plant that has been widely studied for its antidiabetic, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. Several studies had reported the main components of EP, but their fluorescence properties had not been broadly studied. In a previous study we obtained extracts with different composition from this plant and they presented florescence. In this work we study fluorescent compounds from EP and evaluate their fluorescence properties. EP extracts were obtained by Soxhlet extraction with ethanol, samples were dried, and compounds were separated by column chromatography. Fluorescent fractions were classified apart from other fractions and characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis, Raman, FTIR and 1H NMR spectra. Additionally, we obtained functional nanomaterials (using silica nanoparticles). TD-DFT molecular calculations of the fluorescent components were carried out to compare their theoretical UV-Vis spectra to experimental results. Nine fractions were obtained by chromatography and five of them showed fluorescence. Fluorescence of extracts from Eysenhardtia polystachya is due to more than one component and we suggest that could be other hydrochalcones for which we present possible structures. This finding would help to dissipate questions about which component is responsible for fluorescence in extracts from the plant and in this way determinate the appropriate use for these fluorophores. Finally, the application and viability as a biosensor using pulmonary epithelium fibroblast cell culture IMR-90 was proved, and in the concentration used are non-toxic materials.