Monitoring dynamics of human adenovirus disassembly induced by mechanical fatigue

The standard pathway for virus infection of eukaryotic cells requires disassembly of the viral shell to facilitate release of the viral genome into the host cell. Here we use mechanical fatigue, well below rupture strength, to induce stepwise disruption of individual human adenovirus particles under physiological conditions, and simultaneously monitor disassembly in real time. Our data show the sequence of dismantling events in individual mature (infectious) and immature (noninfectious) virions, starting with consecutive release of vertex structures followed by capsid cracking and core exposure. Further, our experiments demonstrate that vertex resilience depends inextricably on maturation, and establish the relevance of penton vacancies as seeding loci for virus shell disruption. The mechanical fatigue disruption route recapitulates the adenovirus disassembly pathway in vivo, as well as the stability differences between mature and immature virionsWe acknowledge funding by grants from the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain, PIB2010US-00233, FIS2011-29493, Consolider CSD2010-00024 and CAM project and the Comunidad de Madrid No. S2009/MAT-1467 to P. J. P.; BFU2010-16382/BMC to C.S.M.; and FIS2011-16090-E to C.S.M. and P.J.P. S.J.F acknowledges funding from the National Institutes of Health, USA (GM037705 and AI1058172). A.J.P.-B. holds a Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral contract from the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain; A.O.-E. and R.M.-C. are recipients of predoctoral fellowships from the Ministry of Education and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III of Spain, respectivel

Macroscopic transport by synthetic molecular machines

Nature uses molecular motors and machines in virtually every significant biological process, but demonstrating that simpler artificial structures operating through the same gross mechanisms can be interfaced with—and perform physical tasks in—the macroscopic world represents a significant hurdle for molecular nanotechnology. Here we describe a wholly synthetic molecular system that converts an external energy source (light) into biased brownian motion to transport a macroscopic cargo and do measurable work. The millimetre-scale directional transport of a liquid on a surface is achieved by using the biased brownian motion of stimuli-responsive rotaxanes (‘molecular shuttles’) to expose or conceal fluoroalkane residues and thereby modify surface tension. The collective operation of a monolayer of the molecular shuttles is sufficient to power the movement of a microlitre droplet of diiodomethane up a twelve-degree incline.

Hábitat y vivienda adecuados en Argentina. Entre los derechos reconocidos y la vulneración existente

This article is the result of an extensive research work that explores the current legislation about the right to an adequate housing and habitat. The increase in land development and the growth of the housing deficit have an strong impact on the daily life and the quality of life of the population. For this reason, housing can not be understood as an empty signifier. It must be based on the needs and rights of people to live decently, and must be closely related to its own habitat. Various international, national, provincial legislation, and jurisprudence were found, which recognize habitat and housing as a fundamental human right for the dignity and potential development of each person. This legislation is supported by the resolutions adopted at the United Nations Habitat Conferences. This paper presents some of the consequences that not guaranteeing this right repeatedly reinforced by the legal order has for individuals, families, communities, and society as a whole. Finally, this article proposes some considerations that should be taken into account regarding public policies on habitat and housing.Este artículo es consecuencia de un extenso trabajo de investigación que explora la legislación vigente sobre el derecho a vivienda y hábitat adecuados. El aumento de la urbanización y el crecimiento del déficit habitacional, generan fuertes impactos en el modo de vivir la cotidianidad y en la calidad de vida de la población. Por esto, la vivienda no puede ser entendida como un significante vacío, sino que debe ser acorde a las necesidades y derechos de las personas a vivir con decoro, además de que la misma debe pensarse en relación al hábitat del que forma parte y no como algo aislado. Se encontró diversa legislación internacional, nacional y provincial y jurisprudencia, que reconocen al hábitat y la vivienda como un derecho humano fundamental para la dignidad y el desarrollo potencial de cada persona. Este cúmulo de legislación es respaldado por las resoluciones adoptadas en las Conferencias Hábitat de Naciones Unidas. Como resultado se presentan algunas de las consecuencias que acarrea, para personas, familias, comunidades y la sociedad toda, el no satisfacer ni garantizar este derecho reiteradamente afirmado por el orden jurídico. Ante lo expuesto, finalmente se proponen algunas consideraciones que deberían tenerse en cuenta en políticas públicas de hábitat y vivienda

Hábitat y vivienda adecuados en Argentina. Entre los derechos reconocidos y la vulneración existente

Este artículo es consecuencia de un extenso trabajo de investigación que explora la legislación vigente sobre el derecho a vivienda y hábitat adecuados. El aumento de la urbanización y el crecimiento del déficit habitacional, generan fuertes impactos en el modo de vivir la cotidianidad y en la calidad de vida de la población. Por esto, la vivienda no puede ser entendida como un significante vacío, sino que debe ser acorde a las necesidades y derechos de las personas a vivir con decoro, además de que la misma debe pensarse en relación al hábitat del que forma parte y no como algo aislado. Se encontró diversa legislación internacional, nacional y provincial y jurisprudencia, que reconocen al hábitat y la vivienda como un derecho humano fundamental para la dignidad y el desarrollo potencial de cada persona. Este cúmulo de legislación es respaldado por las resoluciones adoptadas en las Conferencias Hábitat de Naciones Unidas. Como resultado se presentan algunas de las consecuencias que acarrea, para personas, familias, comunidades y la sociedad toda, el no satisfacer ni garantizar este derecho reiteradamente afirmado por el orden jurídico. Ante lo expuesto, finalmente se proponen algunas consideraciones que deberían tenerse en cuenta en políticas públicas de hábitat y vivienda

Security vulnerabilities in healthcare: an analysis of medical devices and software

© The Author(s) 2023. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. This document is the Published version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing (MBEC). To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-023-02912-0The integration of IoT in healthcare has introduced vulnerabilities in medical devices and software, posing risks to patient safety and system integrity. This study aims to bridge the research gap and provide valuable insights for addressing healthcare vulnerabilities and their mitigation mechanisms. Software vulnerabilities related to health systems from 2001 to 2022 were collected from the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) systematized by software developed by the researchers and assessed by a medical specialist for their impact on patient well-being. The analysis revealed electronic health records, wireless infusion pumps, endoscope cameras, and radiology information systems as the most vulnerable. In addition, critical vulnerabilities were identified, including poor credential management and hard-coded credentials. The investigation provides some insights into the consequences of vulnerabilities in health software products, projecting future security issues by 2025, offers mitigation suggestions, and highlights trends in attacks on life support and health systems are also provided. The healthcare industry needs significant improvements in protecting medical devices from cyberattacks. Securing communication channels and network schema and adopting secure software practices is necessary. In addition, collaboration, regulatory adherence, and continuous security monitoring are crucial. Industries, researchers, and stakeholders can utilize these findings to enhance security and safeguard patient safety

FIBROMYALGIA: A SEARCH FOR MARKERS AND THEIR EVALUATION THROUGHOUT A TREATMENT

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a complex chronic pain disorder of unknown causation associated with debilitating fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, cognitive and affective symptoms. There is no biological markers to monitor FM progression and no permanent cure for FM. Our aim was to identify markers associated with FM and its progression and to evaluate the efficacy of a battery of treatments. The study is a treatment trial, open label and single centre, with 27 women (41 ± 2 years) diagnosed with FM using the Widespread Pain Index (WPI), the Symptom Severity (SS) Scale and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Anthropometric parameters, plasma cytokines values and clinical progression were measured before and after two months of a multi-approach treatment. A significant improvement was observed after two months of treatment as shown by WPI, SS Scale and FIQ. No significant variations were observed, except for the intracellular body water parameters, in anthropometric and body composition characteristics. Food-induced histaminosis release was observed to cow´s milk, egg, fruit, wheat and oily fish. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) plasma cytokine values were significantly higher in FM. A strong positive correlation was observed between the percentage of reduction of cytokine levels and the improvement of health status. We propose: i) the existence of different subsets of FM patients; ii) the use of intracellular body water and plasma cytokine values as positive markers for FM progression; iii) that food-sensitisation could be an important mechanism for FM pathogenesis and iv) the use of a multidisciplinary approach for FM treatment

FIBROMYALGIA: A SEARCH FOR MARKERS AND THEIR EVALUATION THROUGHOUT A TREATMENT

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a complex chronic pain disorder of unknown causation associated with debilitating fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, cognitive and affective symptoms. There is no biological markers to monitor FM progression and no permanent cure for FM. Our aim was to identify markers associated with FM and its progression and to evaluate the efficacy of a battery of treatments. The study is a treatment trial, open label and single centre, with 27 women (41 ± 2 years) diagnosed with FM using the Widespread Pain Index (WPI), the Symptom Severity (SS) Scale and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Anthropometric parameters, plasma cytokines values and clinical progression were measured before and after two months of a multi-approach treatment. A significant improvement was observed after two months of treatment as shown by WPI, SS Scale and FIQ. No significant variations were observed, except for the intracellular body water parameters, in anthropometric and body composition characteristics. Food-induced histaminosis release was observed to cow´s milk, egg, fruit, wheat and oily fish. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) plasma cytokine values were significantly higher in FM. A strong positive correlation was observed between the percentage of reduction of cytokine levels and the improvement of health status. We propose: i) the existence of different subsets of FM patients; ii) the use of intracellular body water and plasma cytokine values as positive markers for FM progression; iii) that food-sensitisation could be an important mechanism for FM pathogenesis and iv) the use of a multidisciplinary approach for FM treatment

Investigating the impact of usability on energy efficiency of web-based personal health records

© 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/. This document is the Accepted version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Journal of Medical Systems. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-021-01725-8Usability plays an important role in eHealth applications for their widespread adoption. These software systems have been studied in depth in the literature from this perspective. However, the energy consumption of information systems in the eHealth domain lacks comprehensive research. In this paper, the relationship between the energy consumption of the main components of a PC and the usability evaluations of graphical user interfaces (GUI) were studied in client applications. For this purpose, personal health records (PHR) were used as a case study. A set of 4 web-based PHRs were evaluated with the performance of 20 common tasks in the aforementioned systems. The usability evaluations were carried out by 4 experts. A total of 8 heuristics particularly designed for electronic health record systems and based on the Nielsen usability heuristics were employed. The instantaneous energy values of the power supply and the monitor were collected with an energy consumption measuring equipment. As a result, the following significant correlations were found: (1) in NoMoreClipboard between the Memory heuristic and the power supply (rs = 0.495, p = 0.044), and the Minimalist heuristic and the monitor (rs = −0.513, p = 0.035). In PatientsLikeMe between the Minimalist heuristic and the power supply (rs = −0.479, p = 0.083), as well as in the Error heuristic and the power supply (rs = −0.638, p = 0.014). Finally, in Health Companion between the Match heuristic and the power supply (rs = −0.481, p = 0.043), and the Error heuristic and the power supply again (rs = −0.602, p = 0.008). Apart from that, the tasks were divided into those with excellent and fair usability. Those tasks with high usability scores were evaluated to detect whether they also had low energy consumption during task performance. Significant differences were found in PatientsLikeMe with respect to the Error heuristic and the power supply (212.39 ± 18.85W). Significant differences were also found in Health Companion with respect to the Match heuristic and the power supply (199.91 ± 7.19W). The results were discussed to reveal the fundamentals of how implementing usability can impact on energy costs when running client applications

A robust binary supramolecular organic framework (SOF) with high CO2 adsorption and selectivity

A robust binary hydrogen-bonded supramolecular organic framework (SOF-7) has been synthesized by solvothermal reaction of 1,4-bis-(4-(3,5-dicyano-2,6 dipyridyl)dihydropyridyl)benzene (1) and 5,5’-bis-(azanediyl)-oxalyl-diisophthalic acid (2). Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows that SOF-7 comprises 2 and 1,4-bis-(4-(3,5-dicyano-2,6-dipyridyl)pyridyl)benzene (3), the latter formed in situ from the oxidative dehydrogenation of 1. SOF-7 shows a three-dimensional four-fold interpenetrat-ed structure with complementary O−H···N hydrogen bonds to form channels that are decorated with cyano- and amide-groups. SOF-7 exhibits excellent thermal stability and sol-vent and moisture durability, as well as permanent porosity. The activated desolvated material SOF-7a shows high CO2 sorption capacity and selectivity compared with other po-rous organic materials assembled solely through hydrogen bonding