Efficient Photodynamic Therapy against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria Using THPTS, a Cationic Photosensitizer Excited by Infrared Wavelength

The worldwide rise in the rates of antibiotic resistance of bacteria underlines the need for alternative antibacterial agents. A promising approach to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria uses light in combination with a photosensitizer to induce a phototoxic reaction. Concentrations of 1, 10 and 100µM of tetrahydroporphyrin-tetratosylat (THPTS) and different incubation times (30, 90 and 180min) were used to measure photodynamic efficiency against two Gram-positive strains of S.aureus (MSSA and MRSA), and two Gram-negative strains of E.coli and P.aeruginosa. We found that phototoxicity of the drug is independent of the antibiotic resistance pattern when incubated in PBS for the investigated strains. Also, an incubation with 100µM THPTS followed by illumination, yielded a 6lg (≥99.999%) decrease in the viable numbers of all bacteria strains tested, indicating that the THPTS drug has a high degree of photodynamic inactivation. We then modulated incubation time, photosensitizer concentration and monitored the effect of serum on the THPTS activity. In doing so, we established the conditions to obtain the strongest bactericidal effect. Our results suggest that this new and highly pure synthetic compound should improve the efficiency of photodynamic therapy against multiresistant bacteria and has a significant potential for clinical applications in the treatment of nosocomial infections

The Survivin −31 Snp in Human Colorectal Cancer Correlates with Survivin Splice Variant Expression and Improved Overall Survival

Background: Survivin is involved in the regulation of cell division and survival, two key processes in cancer. The majority of studies on survivin in colorectal cancer (CRC) have focused on protein expression and less is known about the expression of survivin splicing variants or survivin gene polymorphisms in CRC. In the present study, the mRNA levels of the five known isoforms of survivin as well as survivin protein were assessed in matched normal and neoplastic colorectal tissue. Moreover, the 9386C/T and −31G/C polymorphisms were investigated

Incidencia de la jornada escolar en los procesos de socialización infantil School day incidence on children´s socialization processes

El artículo, derivado de la tesis doctoral realizada por la autora, sitúa el punto de análisis en la percepción del tiempo social en general, y particularmente el escolar, como una realidad materializada en significados diversos para las niñas y niños, generadores de tensiones y conflictos en los procesos de socialización infantil. La vida cotidiana de la infancia en sus contextos familiar, extrafamiliar y escolar, está fuertemente mediatizada por las demandas y presiones del tiempo escolar que preside y organiza la vida de los pequeños y sus familias. El artículo analiza esta incidencia tomando como variable fundamental la modalidad de jornada lectiva, unidad temporal que ha usurpado el debate sobre la globalidad de los tiempos escolares y educativos que es, no sólo deseable, sino urgente en el contexto español. En el estudio se aportan los resultados obtenidos en la investigación realizada con alumnado gallego de Educación Primaria, alrededor de las siguientes cuestiones: planificación, administración y gestión del tiempo; percepción de su transcurrir y valoración de su disponibilidad y uso en los ámbitos familiar, escolar y extraescolar. La variable modalidad de jornada escolar (sesión única matinal/sesión partida mañana y tarde) se ha tomado como principal referencia en el análisis.<br>The paper, derived of the Dissertation realised by the author, situates the point of analysis in the perception of social time in general, and particularly in school time, like a reality materialised in diverse meanings for girls and boys, generators of tensions and conflicts in the processes of chilhood socialization. Daily life of childhood in his familiar, extrafamiliar and school contexts, is strongly influenced by the demands and pressures of the time at school that prevailes and organises the life of children and their families. The paper analyzes this incidence taking the modality of the school day as a fundamental variable, temporary unit that has usurped the debate on the entirety of the school time and the educational time that it is, not only desirable, but urgent in the Spanish context. In the study, we show the results obtained in the investigation realised with Galician students of Primary Education, around the following questions: planning, administration and management of time; perception of how time goes and the assessment of his availability and use in the family, school and extraescolar fields. The modality of the school day (only morning session /session split morning and afternoon) variable, has taken the main reference in the analysis