Synthesis, photo- and thermo-luminescent properties of Mg2P2O7:Tm3+ phosphors.

In this work, both undoped and Thulium (Tm3+) doped (0.3-10 mol%) magnesium pyrophosphate (Mg2P2O7) powders were synthesized by the solvent evaporation method to study their photo-and thermoluminescent properties. Two crystalline phases were observed in the powders by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), the main phase being Mg2P2O7 and the second one thulium phosphate (TmPO4). The superficial morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which revealed that the powders are agglomerates with an undefined form and grains with non-uniform size distribution. The photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra of Tm3+ doped powders show the 1D2 → 3F4 transition, associated with Tm3+ ions, at 452 and 458 nm. The thermoluminescence (TL) properties were analyzed in the undoped and Tm3+ doped powders exposed to 90Sr beta source. The TL glow curve of Tm3+ doped powders exhibits three maxima at about ⁓64-66 °C, ⁓198-202 °C, and ⁓301 °C. The TL dose-response is sub-linear from 0.11 to 0.54 Gy, linear between 0.79 and 24.95 Gy, and supra-linear from 34.99 to 599.95 Gy. Acceptable repeatability with a coefficient of variation of ∼1% was obtained after ten cycles of irradiation and readout. At 63 d of storage, the powders show fading of 30%, and at 1.6 years (585 d), the integrated TL intensity decays by 47%. The kinetic parameters of activation energy and frequency factor were evaluated using the Initial Rise, Booth, Bohun, and Porfianovitch (BBP) and Hoogenstraaten methods and Glow Curve Deconvolution with a general order kinetic model.

[Radiation exposure of the spine surgeon]. / Exposición a radiación del cirujano de columna.

INTRODUCTION: in general, spine surgeons seek to minimize soft tissue damage by using less invasive approaches, which causes them to use intraoperative images much more frequently than other surgical specialties; therefore, they are at increased risk of radiation exposure. OBJECTIVE: the aim of this work was to analyse the amount of radiation to which the spine surgeon is exposed in different scenarios. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a prospective study with a descriptive, longitudinal non-randomized data source. We carried out this study in the period from 2015 to 2019, the radiologic protection consisted in lead apron, thyroid shield and leaded glasses, there were 10 badge dosimeters. RESULTS: only 4 dosimeters were included in the study, the other six were excluded. During the study period one surgeon suffered thyroid cancer and other suffered of liposarcoma. In the protected group were two surgeons, in the group of aleatory exposition was one surgeon and in the unprotected group was one surgeon. In the study the dosimeter in the unprotected group received more amount of radiation in all the years, we did an inferential analysis per year related with the number of surgeries without significant correlation, we attribute this result because we didn't classified the type of surgery realized by each surgeon. CONCLUSION: we conclude that the spine surgeon must apply the primary methods of radiological protection and that the unprotected spine surgeon receives more amount of radiation in comparison of the protected ones.

INTRODUCCIÓN: en general, los cirujanos de columna buscan minimizar el daño a tejidos blandos empleando abordajes menos invasivos, lo que ocasiona que utilicen imágenes intraoperatorias de una manera mucho más habitual que el resto de las especialidades quirúrgicas; por lo tanto, están en mayor riesgo de exposición de radiación. OBJETIVO: el propósito del trabajo es analizar la cantidad de radiación a la cual está expuesto el cirujano de columna en diferentes escenarios. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio prospectivo con una fuente de datos descriptiva, longitudinal, no aleatorizada. Se llevó a cabo el estudio en el período del año 2015 al 2019; la protección radiológica consistió en chaleco plomado, protector de tiroides y lentes plomados; se usaron 10 dosímetros. RESULTADOS: cuatro dosímetros fueron incluidos en el estudio, los otros seis fueron excluidos. Durante el estudio, un cirujano sufrió de cáncer de tiroides y otro de liposarcoma. En el grupo de protegidos se incluyeron dos cirujanos, en el grupo de protección aleatorizada se incluyó un cirujano y en el grupo sin protección se incluyó un cirujano. El dosímetro del grupo sin protección recibió mayor cantidad de radiación en todos los años, se realizó un análisis inferencial por año relacionado con el número de cirugías no encontrando correlación significativa, atribuimos este resultado a que no clasificamos el tipo de cirugía realizada por cada cirujano. CONCLUSIÓN: el cirujano de columna debe de aplicar los métodos primarios de protección radiológica, ya que los cirujanos de columna sin equipo de protección reciben mayor cantidad de radiación en comparación con los protegidos.

Preventing Teen Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study of the Perspectives of Parenting and Expecting Latino Adolescents.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Latino youths in the United States experience disproportionately high rates of teen pregnancy. The aim of this study was to obtain expecting and parenting Latino adolescents' perspectives regarding factors contributing to teen pregnancy and pregnancy prevention. METHODS: Expecting/parenting Latino adolescents were recruited from high schools with high proportions of Latino youths and teen pregnancy. Participants completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic and background characteristics. Focus groups were stratified by age and gender and audio recorded. Grounded theory was used to identify themes from the transcribed audio recordings. RESULTS: Thirty-two expecting/parenting Latino adolescents (20 females, 12 males) 14-19 years old participated in four focus groups. Quantitative results revealed that two-thirds of participants at birth had adolescent mothers. Over three-quarters of participants reported that their pregnancies had occurred too soon. Qualitative themes for factors contributing to teen pregnancy included lack of contraceptive knowledge/access, belief of invincibility, influence within relationships, male decisions on contraceptive use, desire to belong among peers, lack of parental support for contraceptive use, lack of parental attention, rebellion, normalization of adolescent parenthood in Latino culture, and media. Themes for pregnancy prevention included time alone with physicians, parenting teens as mentors, reproductive health education, and community pregnancy-prevention programs. CONCLUSION: Multiple factors contribute to teen pregnancy in Latino youth, including influences from Latino culture, family, peers, partners, and social determinants of health. Pregnancy prevention should incorporate interventions to address these aspects, including disseminating culturally sensitive education materials, providing parenting teens as peer mentors, encouraging time alone with health care providers, and addressing various social determinants of health.

Exposición a radiación del cirujano de columna / Radiation exposure of the spine surgeon

Resumen: Introducción: en general, los cirujanos de columna buscan minimizar el daño a tejidos blandos empleando abordajes menos invasivos, lo que ocasiona que utilicen imágenes intraoperatorias de una manera mucho más habitual que el resto de las especialidades quirúrgicas; por lo tanto, están en mayor riesgo de exposición de radiación. Objetivo: el propósito del trabajo es analizar la cantidad de radiación a la cual está expuesto el cirujano de columna en diferentes escenarios. Material y métodos: estudio prospectivo con una fuente de datos descriptiva, longitudinal, no aleatorizada. Se llevó a cabo el estudio en el período del año 2015 al 2019; la protección radiológica consistió en chaleco plomado, protector de tiroides y lentes plomados; se usaron 10 dosímetros. Resultados: cuatro dosímetros fueron incluidos en el estudio, los otros seis fueron excluidos. Durante el estudio, un cirujano sufrió de cáncer de tiroides y otro de liposarcoma. En el grupo de protegidos se incluyeron dos cirujanos, en el grupo de protección aleatorizada se incluyó un cirujano y en el grupo sin protección se incluyó un cirujano. El dosímetro del grupo sin protección recibió mayor cantidad de radiación en todos los años, se realizó un análisis inferencial por año relacionado con el número de cirugías no encontrando correlación significativa, atribuimos este resultado a que no clasificamos el tipo de cirugía realizada por cada cirujano. Conclusión: el cirujano de columna debe de aplicar los métodos primarios de protección radiológica, ya que los cirujanos de columna sin equipo de protección reciben mayor cantidad de radiación en comparación con los protegidos.

Abstract: Introduction: in general, spine surgeons seek to minimize soft tissue damage by using less invasive approaches, which causes them to use intraoperative images much more frequently than other surgical specialties; therefore, they are at increased risk of radiation exposure. Objective: the aim of this work was to analyse the amount of radiation to which the spine surgeon is exposed in different scenarios. Material and methods: a prospective study with a descriptive, longitudinal non-randomized data source. We carried out this study in the period from 2015 to 2019, the radiologic protection consisted in lead apron, thyroid shield and leaded glasses, there were 10 badge dosimeters. Results: only 4 dosimeters were included in the study, the other six were excluded. During the study period one surgeon suffered thyroid cancer and other suffered of liposarcoma. In the protected group were two surgeons, in the group of aleatory exposition was one surgeon and in the unprotected group was one surgeon. In the study the dosimeter in the unprotected group received more amount of radiation in all the years, we did an inferential analysis per year related with the number of surgeries without significant correlation, we attribute this result because we didn't classified the type of surgery realized by each surgeon. Conclusion: we conclude that the spine surgeon must apply the primary methods of radiological protection and that the unprotected spine surgeon receives more amount of radiation in comparison of the protected ones.

[Classification of continuous multilevel vertebral fractures]. / Clasificación de las fracturas vertebrales multinivel continuas.

Currently there is still little information about multilevel vertebral fractures (MVF), in addition to the fact that there are no classifications that help us group them in a simpler way, and guide us on their prognosis. The objective of this work is to propose a new classification of continuous type MVF, based on the number of end plates injured of the vertebral bodies and their severity, where we form four groups. A review of continuous MVF cases that we found in our hospital over a 6-year period was carried out, managing to designate 100% of the fractures, by their characteristics, to the corresponding group. In addition, we observed a better neurological prognosis in group 1. This classification is a proposal that will help us to group these injuries, that can be very varied, in only four groups; with the aim of later creating a more standardized management proposal, and knowing its neurological prognosis.

Actualmente aún existe poca información acerca de las fracturas vertebrales multinivel (MVF), además de que no hay clasificaciones que nos ayuden a agruparlas de una manera más sencilla y nos orienten sobre su pronóstico. El objetivo del presente trabajo es proponer una nueva clasificación de MVF del tipo continuas, basada en el número de plataformas lesionadas de los cuerpos vertebrales y su gravedad, donde formamos cuatro grupos. Se realizó la revisión de casos de MVF continuas que encontramos en nuestro hospital en un período de seis años; logrando designar cada fractura, debido a sus características, al grupo correspondiente en 100% de los casos. Además, se observó un mejor pronóstico neurológico en el grupo 1. Esta clasificación es una propuesta que nos ayudará a agrupar estas lesiones, que pueden ser muy variadas, en sólo cuatro grupos; con el objetivo de posteriormente crear una propuesta de manejo más estandarizado y conocer su pronóstico neurológico.

Effect of selective dopamine D3 and D4 receptor agonists on trunk pulmonary artery vascular reactivity from control and monocrotaline-treated rats.

Dopamine D1-like and D2-like receptors are expressed in the pulmonary arteries, however there is a little information about their effect on vascular tone in pulmonary circulation, even the vascular effect of activation of the dopamine D3 and D4 subtypes in physiological and pathological conditions such as pulmonary hypertension is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the vascular response of trunk pulmonary artery rings from saline and monocrotaline-treated rats in the presence of selective dopamine receptor agonists. In trunk pulmonary artery rings with intact and denuded endothelium, cumulative concentration-response curves were performed for phenylephrine, acetylcholine, and dopamine receptor agonists (apomorphine-D2-like, SKF38393-D1, quinpirole-D2/D3, 7-OH-DPATD3, and PD168077-D4) alone and in the presence of corresponding selective dopamine receptor antagonists (SCH23390-D1, raclopride-D2/D3, U99194 maleate-D3, and L-745,870-D4). Contractile and relaxant effects generated during the activation with phenylephrine and acetylcholine, respectively, were significantly reduced in intact and denuded endothelium trunk pulmonary artery rings from monocrotaline rats in comparison with control rats. All dopamine receptor agonists, except the 7-OH-DPAT, produced significant vascular relaxation in intact trunk pulmonary artery rings precontracted with phenylephrine in both experimental groups. Also, the vascular relaxation of SKF38393, and particularly apomorphine and PD168077 was significant in denuded endothelium trunk pulmonary artery rings from control and monocrotaline groups. Furthermore, the vasorelaxation induced by these dopamine agonists was significantly reduced in pulmonary preparations from monocrotaline-treated rats in comparison to that recorded in preparations from control rats. The effect of dopamine receptor agonists decreased significantly in the presence of the corresponding antagonist in both experimental groups. The results support that dopamine D4 receptor agonist induces significant vascular relaxation, whereas dopamine D3 receptor agonist induces vasoconstriction in intact and denuded endothelium trunk pulmonary artery rings in control and monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension rats.

Spray-driven halide exchange in solid-state CsPbX3 nanocrystal films.

CsPbI3 perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) are promising building blocks for photovoltaics and optoelectronics. However, they exhibit an essential drawback in the form of phase stability: α-phase, with a ∼1.80 eV bandgap, can easily experience a phase transition to a non-radiative orthorhombic δ-phase in an ambient environment. This leads to the need to carry out the CsPbI3-based device fabrication in an inert atmosphere, which is technologically inconvenient and expensive. One of the most successful approaches proposed to overcome this problem is synthesizing mixed halide CsPbBr3-xIx NCs to improve the stability of the α-phase perovskite structure. However, the formation of high-quality thin films of CsPbBr3-xIx NCs with high PLQY is challenging owing to the degradation of their optical properties after deposition on a substrate. This work presents spray coating to carry out a solid-state anion exchange in CsPbBr3 NCs thin films at ambient conditions with low-demanding reaction conditions. This constitutes a novel open-air and annealing-free technology to manufacture CsPbBr3-xIx NC thin films with high optical quality and record high photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQY) based on spray-driven halide (Br- to I-) anion exchange in a solid-state phase. Besides, tunable emission wavelengths between 520 and 670 nm can be obtained from CsPbBr3-xIx NC films using accurate tuning volumes of HI solution sprayed over the initial surface of CsPbBr3 film to provide the halide exchange. The optical quality of the halide-exchanged PNCs films remains practically identical to that of initial Br-containing layers, with a remarkable PLQY enhancement after anion exchange, from ∼61% for CsPbBr3 thin films emitting at 520 nm to ∼84% for mixed halide CsPbBr3-xIx film emitting at 640 nm. The huge potential of the system is confirmed by demonstrating a low-threshold amplified spontaneous emission.

Metazoan parasite communities of the Pacific red snapper, Lutjanus peru (Perciformes: Lutjanidae): interannual variations in parasite communities.

Metazoan parasite communities can experience temporal structural changes related to seasonal and/or local variations in several biotic and abiotic environmental factors. However, few studies have addressed this issue in tropical regions, where changes in water temperature are less extreme than in temperate regions, so the factors or processes that can generate variations in these parasite communities are as yet unclear. We quantified and analysed the parasite communities of 421 Lutjanus peru (Nichols & Murphy, 1922) collected from Acapulco Bay in Guerrero, Mexico, over a four-year period (August 2018 to April 2021), to identify any interannual variation due to local biotic and abiotic factors influenced by natural oceanographic phenomena, such as El Niño-Southern Oscillation, or La Niña. Twenty-five metazoan parasite taxa were recovered and identified: seven Digenea species; two Monogenea; one Cestoda; one Acanthocephala; four Nematoda; and ten of Crustacea (seven Copepoda and three Isopoda). The digeneans and copepods were the best represented parasite groups. The parasite communities were characterized by a high numerical dominance of helminth larvae. Species richness at the component community level (13 to 19 species) was similar to reported richness in other Lutjanus spp. The parasite communities of L. peru had a high variability in species composition, but low aggregate variability (e.g. species diversity), suggesting that structure of these communities may be quite stable over time. A clear interannual variation pattern was not observed, suggesting that parasite species of this host may respond differently to variations in environmental factors. Interannual variations were possibly caused by a combination of biotic (i.e. host feeding behaviour and body size) and local abiotic factors (influenced by climatic anomalies) which generated notable changes in the infection levels of several component species.

Combination Blockade of the IL6R/STAT-3 Axis with TIGIT and Its Impact on the Functional Activity of NK Cells against Prostate Cancer Cells.

Methods: We analyzed the secretion of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in 22Rv1, LNCaP, and DU145 cells. In these cells, we also evaluated the expression of NK ligands, IL6R, STAT-3, and phosporylated STAT-3. In NK-92 cells, we evaluated the effects of Stattic (Stt) and tocilizumab (Tcz) on NK receptors. In addition, we assessed if the disruption of the IL6R/STAT-3 pathway and blockade of TIGIT potentiated the cytotoxicity of NK-92 cells versus DU145 cells. Results: DU145 abundantly secretes M-CSF, VEGF, IL-6, CXCL8, and TGF-ß. Furthermore, the expression of CD155 was found to increase in accordance with aggressiveness and metastatic status in the prostate cancer cells. Stt and Tcz induce a decrease in STAT-3 phosphorylation in the DU145 cells and, in turn, induce an increase of NKp46 and a decrease of TIGIT expression in NK-92 cells. Finally, the disruption of the IL6R/STAT-3 axis in prostate cancer cells and the blocking of TIGIT on NK-92 were observed to increase the cytotoxicity of NK-92 cells against DU145 cells through an increase in sFasL, granzyme A, granzyme B, and granulysin. Conclusions: Our results reveal that the combined use of inhibitors directed against the IL6R/STAT-3 axis and TIGIT enhances the functional activity of NK cells against castration-resistant prostate cancer cells.

[Mazabraud syndrome]. / Síndrome de Mazabraud.

Mazabraud syndrome was first described in 1926 by Henschen, consisting of the association between bone fibrodysplasia and one or more intramuscular myxomas. The study paper conducted by Mazabraud et al. in 1967, described an association between the two pathologies. Later literature referred to this relationship with the eponym described above. In this report, we present the case of a 43-year-old female patient with a known diagnosis of bone fibrodysplasia and subsequent development of a right antecubital fossa mass, which was histologically confirmed as intramuscular myxoma. After the removal of the tumor, the literature was reviewed to find a possible relationship between myxomas and fibrous bone dysplasia, finding positive the association, referred to in the documents reviewed as Mazabraud syndrome.

El síndrome de Mazabraud fue descrito inicialmente en 1926 por Henschen, consiste en la asociación entre fibrodisplasia ósea y uno o más mixomas intramusculares. El documento de estudio realizado por Mazabraud y colaboradores en 1967 describió una asociación entre las dos patologías. Literatura posterior se refirió a esta relación con el epónimo antes descrito. En este reporte, presentamos el caso de una mujer de 43 años, con diagnóstico conocido de fibrodisplasia ósea y posterior desarrollo de una masa en fosa antecubital derecha, la cual fue confirmada histológicamente como mixoma intramuscular. Después de la extracción de la tumoración, se revisó la literatura para encontrar una posible relación entre mixomas y displasia ósea fibrosa, encontrando positiva la asociación, denominada en los documentos revisados como síndrome de Mazabraud.

Phase and amplitude reconstruction in single-pixel transmission microscopy: a comparison of Hadamard, cosine, and noiselet bases.

Hadamard, cosine, and noiselet bases are implemented into a digital holographic microscope based on single-pixel imaging with the capability to retrieve images of complex objects. The object is illuminated with coherent light modulated with different patterns deployed in a digital micromirror device, and the resulting fields are captured by single-pixel detection. For amplitude images, the experimental results of the three bases are evaluated with the peak SNR criteria. It is shown that the cosine basis recovers amplitude distributions with the best quality. Regarding phase images, the recovered ones compare well with those obtained with a CMOS camera.

Síndrome de Mazabraud / Mazabraud syndrome

Resumen: El síndrome de Mazabraud fue descrito inicialmente en 1926 por Henschen, consiste en la asociación entre fibrodisplasia ósea y uno o más mixomas intramusculares. El documento de estudio realizado por Mazabraud y colaboradores en 1967 describió una asociación entre las dos patologías. Literatura posterior se refirió a esta relación con el epónimo antes descrito. En este reporte, presentamos el caso de una mujer de 43 años, con diagnóstico conocido de fibrodisplasia ósea y posterior desarrollo de una masa en fosa antecubital derecha, la cual fue confirmada histológicamente como mixoma intramuscular. Después de la extracción de la tumoración, se revisó la literatura para encontrar una posible relación entre mixomas y displasia ósea fibrosa, encontrando positiva la asociación, denominada en los documentos revisados como síndrome de Mazabraud.

Abstract: Mazabraud syndrome was first described in 1926 by Henschen, consisting of the association between bone fibrodysplasia and one or more intramuscular myxomas. The study paper conducted by Mazabraud et al. in 1967, described an association between the two pathologies. Later literature referred to this relationship with the eponym described above. In this report, we present the case of a 43-year-old female patient with a known diagnosis of bone fibrodysplasia and subsequent development of a right antecubital fossa mass, which was histologically confirmed as intramuscular myxoma. After the removal of the tumor, the literature was reviewed to find a possible relationship between myxomas and fibrous bone dysplasia, finding positive the association, referred to in the documents reviewed as Mazabraud syndrome.

Desafíos en la Formación e Investigación de la Educación Inclusiva en Kinesiología desde la Perspectiva de Diversidad Funcional / Challenges in the implementation of inclusive education in physiotherapy from perspective of functional diversity

Promover la diversidad y la inclusión social de personas en situación de discapacidad (PeSD) implica garantizar oportunidades que aseguren una participación social plena junto a la eliminación de barreras. En este artículo especial, buscamos describir los principales desafíos en la formación e investigación de la educación inclusiva en kinesiología desde la perspectiva de diversidad funcional, reconociendo elementos relevantes para compartir aprendizajes sobre la implementación de la Educación Inclusiva en educación superior. Se establecen desafíos desde nuestro rol en la educación superior, en el diseño de políticas inclusivas y en la formación ética, crítica y con responsabilidad de nuestro rol en la sociedad. Junto a ello, se describen aprendizajes de la mesa local de discapacidad de la Universidad de Chile, centrados en la existencia de personal de apoyo de PeSD capacitado y participación vinculante, el desarrollo de una mirada diversa y cambiante de la discapacidad, incluir proceso basado en la investigación y diálogo social desde la perspectiva de la diversidad funcional junto con articular con un plan de empleabilidad. Contribuir a la formación de profesionales comprometidos con la diversidad e inclusión permitirá que la comunidad se beneficie de nuevos modelos educativos, mejorando la calidad de vida de todas y todos en diversas condiciones de salud o funcionalidades.

Promoting diversity and social inclusion of people with disabilities (PeSD) implies guaranteeing opportunities that ensure thorough social participation besides with the elimination of barriers. In this special article, we aim to describe the main challenges in training and research in inclusive education in kinesiology from the perspective of functional diversity, recognizing relevant elements to share learning about the implementation of Inclusive Education in higher education. Challenges are established from our role in higher education, in the design of inclusive policies and in the ethical, critical and responsible training of our role in society. Along with this, learnings from Mesa Local de Discapacidad of the Universidad de Chile are focused on the existence of trained PeSD support staff and binding participation, the development of a diverse and changing view of disability, including research-based process and communitarian dialogue from the perspective of functional diversity together with articulating with an employability plan. Contributing to the training of professionals committed to diversity and inclusion will allow the community to benefit from new educational models, improving the quality of life for everyone in various health conditions or functionalities.

Capsaicin attenuates immunosuppression induced by chronic stress in BALB/C mice.

Although acute stress generally exerts positive effects on the immune system, chronic stress typically causes immunosuppression via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In this study, the effects of capsaicin (1.28 mg/kg intraperitoneally [i.p.] for 7 days) on immune parameters were evaluated under conditions of chronic stress. Capsaicin treatment significantly increased the immune response as evaluated by the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction to dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) and splenocyte proliferation assays- It also is able to rescue the splenocytes of the apoptosis induced by stress. The capsaicin treatment increased the production of Th1 cytokines and decreased the production of Th2 cytokines and TGF-ß1 in the plasma and culture supernatants of immunosuppressed mice, which is associated with the modulation of Th2 induced by stress cells. Moreover, the production of corticosterone significantly decreased in capsaicin-treated animals as compared to control groups. The capsaicin treatment further attenuated the immunosuppression induced by the corticosterone treatment (40 mg/kg i.p. for 7 days), albeit less potently, as exhibited in the DTH response. Intriguingly, the capsaicin treatment decreased the induction of IL-10, IL-4, and TGF-ß1 through high doses of corticosterone, indicating direct cellular immunomodulation. These results show, that capsaicin is able to modulate chronic stress-induced immunosuppression, mediating corticosterone released inhibition, but also, that capsaicin significantly modulates the pharmacological action of corticosterone in vivo.

Espondiloptosis traumática C7-T1 sin compromiso neurológico / Traumatic spondyloptosis C7-T1 without neurologic deficit

Resumen: La espondiloptosis traumática es una lesión muy rara y grave generalmente causada por traumatismos de alta energía. Consiste en la dislocación anterior o posterior de 100% o más al cuerpo vertebral subyacente, lo que puede generar compresión y lesión total de la médula espinal, produciendo déficit neurológico; este tipo de lesión representa la etapa 4 y 5 de Allen. Caso clínico: Masculino de 50 años quien sufre accidente automovilístico al colisionar contra muro de contención, generándose lesión de tipo hiperextensión-compresión cervicotorácica, manejado con hemicorpectomía C7, discectomía C7-T1, espondilodesis con placa anterior (C6-C7, C7-T1), toma y aplicación de injerto, abordaje posterior + fascetectomías de C7 + fijación transfacetaria C6 y transpedicular de T1. Discusión: Encontramos que la estabilización temprana con pinza de Gardner más el abordaje anterior y posterior brindan adecuados resultados en cuanto a integridad sensitiva y motora del paciente así como una pronta rehabilitación.

Abstract: Traumatic spondyloptosis is a serious injury usually caused by high-energy trauma; It consists of the anterior or posterior dislocation of 100% or more of the underlying vertebral body, which can become a total injury of the spinal cord, producing a neurological deficit; this type of injury represents stage 4 and 5 of Allen-Ferguson. Clinical case: A 50-year-old man who suffers a car accident, he receive frontal impact when he was a driver, colliding with the retaining wall, referred from another hospital to emergency room, managed with C7 hemicorpectomy, c7-t1 discectomy, spondylodesis with anterior plate (C6-T1), and posterior approach + Fascetectomies of C7-T1, facet joint screws C6 and transpedicular fixation of T1. Discussion: Subaxial cervical spondyloptosis is relatively rare clinical entity, a complete clinical examination is important in diagnosis, taking in considerations the injury mechanism. For treatment we have a multiple options, at this case anterior-posterior (360 degrees) treatment it was the better option for Us; however, must be personalized and consider the early rehabilitation of patient.

Synthesis, chemical and biochemical characterization of Lu2O3-iPSMA nanoparticles activated by neutron irradiation.

Among the nanomaterials, rare sesquioxides (lanthanide oxides such as Lu2O3) are of interest due to their adequate thermal conductivity, excellent chemical stability, and high light output. The prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is an integral multifunctional protein overexpressed in various types of cancer cells. The radiolabeled PSMA inhibitor peptides (iPSMA) have demonstrated their usefulness as specific probes in the treatment and detection of a wide variety of neoplasms, mainly due to their high in vivo recognition by the PSMA protein. The objective of this research was to synthesize Lu2O3-iPSMA nanoparticles (NPs) and characterize their physicochemical properties before and after neutron activation, as well as to assess their biodistribution profile and in vitro potential to target cells overexpressing PSMA. The Lu2O3 NPs were synthesized by the precipitation-calcination method and conjugated to the iPSMA peptide using DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazocyclodecane-N,N',N″,N‴-tetraacetic acid) as a linking agent. Results of the physicochemical characterization by FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopies, SEM, TEM, DLS, HRTEM, SAED, DSC-TGA, and X-ray diffraction indicated the formation of Lu2O3-iPSMA NPs (diameter of 29.98 ± 9.07 nm), which were not affected in their physicochemical properties after neutron activation. 177Lu2O3-iPSMA NPs showed high affinity (Kd = 5.7 ± 1.9 nM) for the PSMA protein, evaluated by the saturation assay on HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells (PSMA-positive). The biodistribution profile of the nanosystem in healthy mice showed the main uptake in the liver. After irradiation, radioactive Lu2O3-iPSMA NPs exhibited radioluminescent properties, making the in vivo acquisition of their biodistribution, via optical imaging, possible. The results obtained from this research validate the execution of additional preclinical studies with the objective of evaluating the potential of the 177Lu2O3-iPSMA NPs for the targeted radiotherapy and in vivo imaging of tumors overexpressing the PSMA protein.

Synthesis and Biochemical Evaluation of Samarium-153 Oxide Nanoparticles Functionalized with iPSMA-Bombesin Heterodimeric Peptide.

Developments in the design of lanthanide oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have unleashed a wide variety of biomedical applications. Several types of hepatic cancer cells overexpress two proteins: the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPr), which specifically recognizes the bombesin (BN) peptide, and the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), which specifically binds to several peptides that inhibit its activity (iPSMA). This research synthesized and physicochemically characterized Sm2O3 nanoparticles functionalized with the iPSMA-BN heterodimeric peptide and studied the effects on their structural, biochemical and preclinical properties after activation by neutron irradiation for possible use in molecular dual-targeted radiotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma. The Sm2O3 NPs were synthesized by the precipitation-calcination method and functionalized with iPSMA-BN peptide using the DOTA macrocycle as a linking agent. Analysis of physicochemical characterization via TEM, EDS, XRD, UV-Vis, FT-IR, DSL, and zeta potential results showed the formation of Sm2O3-iPSMA-BN NPs (94.23 ± 5.98 nm), and their physicochemical properties were not affected after neutron activation. The nanosystem showed a high affinity with respect to PSMA and GRPr in HepG2 cells ( Kd = 6.6 ± 1.6 nM) and GRPr in PC3 cells ( Kd = 10.6 ± 1.9 nM). 153Sm2O3-iPSMA-BN NPs exhibited radioluminescent properties, making possible in vivo optical imaging of their biodistribution in mice. The results obtained from this research support further preclinical studies designed to evaluate the dosimetry and therapeutic efficacy of 153Sm2O3-iPSMA-BN nanoparticles for in vivo imaging and molecular dual-targeted radiotherapy of liver tumors overexpressing PSMA and/or GRPr proteins.

Sequence analysis of five exons of SLC6A4 gene in Mexican patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence indicates that alterations in the serotonin system are related to changes in eating behavior. The serotonin transporter is encoded by the SLC6A4 gene and has been an interesting candidate for anorexia nervosa- restrictive type (AN-R) and bulimia nervosa (BN). Interestingly, functional variants have been identified in the coding region that could contribute to understand the role of this gene in eating disorders. The aim was to identify genetic variants in five exons of SLC6A4 gene using Sanger-sequencing in anorexia nervosa-restrictive and bulimia nervosa patients, and a control group. METHOD: The sample consisted of 86 patients and 50 control subjects. We obtained DNA samples from all subjects and performed Sanger-sequence analysis of the 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9 exons. The sequences were compared with the reference sequence of the SLC6A4 gene. RESULTS: The sequence analysis of the five exons of the gene identified several variants. In the AN-R, we observed two novel variants (g.130delA and c.1740G > A), three synonymous variants (rs57172732, rs55908624, rs74478645) and a missense variant (L90F) reporting a probably deleterious and damaging variant. In BN, we identified two novel variants (g.295C > G and c.1725G > A), and the non-synonymous (rs28914832/I425V), reported as benign. Interestingly, we observed the 425V variant in three patients in the BN, variant that previously was reported in patients with a spectrum obsessive-compulsive disorder. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that variants of the SLC6A4 gene are related with a possible damaging or gain-of-function and may be involved in the susceptibility to AN-R and BN patients. However, the present findings should be considered as preliminary until replicated in large samples.

[Traumatic spondyloptosis C7-T1 without neurologic deficit]. / Espondiloptosis traumática C7-T1 sin compromiso neurológico.

Traumatic spondyloptosis is a serious injury usually caused by high-energy trauma; It consists of the anterior or posterior dislocation of 100% or more of the underlying vertebral body, which can become a total injury of the spinal cord, producing a neurological deficit; this type of injury represents stage 4 and 5 of Allen-Ferguson. Clinical case: A 50-year-old man who suffers a car accident, he receive frontal impact when he was a driver, colliding with the retaining wall, referred from another hospital to emergency room, managed with C7 hemicorpectomy, c7-t1 discectomy, spondylodesis with anterior plate (C6-T1), and posterior approach + Fascetectomies of C7-T1, facet joint screws C6 and transpedicular fixation of T1. Discussion: Subaxial cervical spondyloptosis is relatively rare clinical entity, a complete clinical examination is important in diagnosis, taking in considerations the injury mechanism. For treatment we have a multiple options, at this case anterior-posterior (360 degrees) treatment it was the better option for Us; however, must be personalized and consider the early rehabilitation of patient.

La espondiloptosis traumática es una lesión muy rara y grave generalmente causada por traumatismos de alta energía. Consiste en la dislocación anterior o posterior de 100% o más al cuerpo vertebral subyacente, lo que puede generar compresión y lesión total de la médula espinal, produciendo déficit neurológico; este tipo de lesión representa la etapa 4 y 5 de Allen. Caso clínico: Masculino de 50 años quien sufre accidente automovilístico al colisionar contra muro de contención, generándose lesión de tipo hiperextensión-compresión cervicotorácica, manejado con hemicorpectomía C7, discectomía C7-T1, espondilodesis con placa anterior (C6-C7, C7-T1), toma y aplicación de injerto, abordaje posterior + fascetectomías de C7 + fijación transfacetaria C6 y transpedicular de T1. Discusión: Encontramos que la estabilización temprana con pinza de Gardner más el abordaje anterior y posterior brindan adecuados resultados en cuanto a integridad sensitiva y motora del paciente así como una pronta rehabilitación.

Third-order nonlinear optical properties of a multi-layer Al2O3/ZnO for nonlinear optical waveguides.

This is a report of a study of the nonlinear optical properties of samples based on multiple Al2O3/ZnO bilayers fabricated by atomic layer deposition (ALD) in silica. The multi-layer configuration for samples consists of alternated layers of constant thickness of Al2O3 (Δx) and ZnO (Δy) nanolaminates with a total thickness of ∼ 500 nm. The physical properties of the samples were characterized by means of TEM, spectrophotometry and variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry. The absorptive and refractive contributions to the nonlinearity of the samples were studied by means of z-scan technique using a 100 fs at 800 nm. The nonlinear parameters, ß and n2, are studied using different values of the layers thickness, Δx and Δy, in the nanolaminated stack. The possible applications in optical signal processing system are discussed by means of the figures of merit W and T.