Carbon dots nanoparticles as an effective gate for PDT

The promising strategy for targeted cancer treatment is to employ light as an external activator of a drug accumulated in tumor tissue. This approach is so-called photodynamic therapy (PDT) and can be used for diagnostic purposes. A photosensitizer, molecular oxygen, and laser light are the three significant components of Type II PDT, and the mechanism is the catalysis of the production of reactive oxygen species that lead to the oxidative damage of cellular molecules inducing cancer cell death [1]. Fluorescent carbon dots (CDs), spherical nanoparticles with size < 10 nm that can function as bioimaging agents and photosensitizers, have demonstrated significant potential in cancer theranostics [2]. Here, we have created Nitrogen co-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) surface decorated with organometallics compound, based on the Ru complex (Ru@N-CDs) [3,4] that were active in inducing biomolecular changes in ovarian cancer cell line upon illumination. Upon illumination, the most significant structural changes occurred in ovarian cancer cells and were detected in the protein region; we postulate interference with signaling pathways involved in regulating cancer cell growth and tumor progression. However, the limitation of light is the depth of penetration through the tissues, which prevents significant therapeutic effects on deep tumors. A strategy to overcome this is to use optical fibers that have coatings fabricated from the N-CDs, thus developing a so-called lab-on fiber system. The light propagating through the fiber [4] can activate the overall coating on the optical fiber surface with the presence of Ru@N-CDs. We hypothesize that the activation by the light results in the locally increased ROS production combined with enhanced release of the Ru complex from the surface, similar to the Ru@TiO2 NCS [5]. Our preliminary results demonstrate a high potential of the lab-on-fiber system in therapy against ovarian cancer that can resist traditional chemotherapeutic approaches.IX International School and Conference on Photonics : PHOTONICA2023 : book of abstracts; August 28 - September 1, 2023; Belgrad

Gambaran Perilaku Pencarian Pengobatan Penderita Demam Berdarah Dengue Di Kabupaten Ciamis Propinsi Jawa Barat

. A cross sectional study was carried out to determine health seeking behaviour of dengue patient in Ciamis district. Subjects were 80 dengue patient\u27s care taker chosen by purposive sampling. Data was presented descriptively. The result showed based on the first place of treatment, pattern of treatment seeking behavior were identified the most common one was using public hospital as the first step. Pattern of treatment seeking behavior of the patient\u27s care taker that injluenced decision making to take treatment alternatives included knowledge, attitude and practice about the caused, symptomp \u27s, virulence and transmission of dengue virus infection; the distanee to treatment places and family role (husband/wife) were important for caretakers to take into consideration when making treatment choices

Clínicas del trabajo en Chile : tres experiencias de intervención en una sociedad dañada por la gestión ‘managerial’

El artículo se propone problematizar el proceso de transformaciones del trabajo contemporáneo en Chile. Se describen tres experiencias desde las clínicas del trabajo (educacional, psicosocial y socioanálisis) en diferentes escenarios laborales. A su vez, se realiza una reflexión sobre la pertinencia de la clínica del trabajo como forma de intervención para contribuir a la comprensión de los procesos subjetivos de los trabajadores, en su dimensión individual, grupal y política.O artigo propõe-se problematizar o processo de transformações do trabalho contemporâneo no Chile. Três experiências são descritas a partir de estudos desenvolvidas na perspetiva das clínicas do trabalho (educacional, psicossocial e socioanálise) em diferentes cenários de trabalho. A seguir, faz-se uma reflexão sobre a relevância da abordagem da clínica do trabalho como forma de intervenção que contribui para a compreensão dos processos subjetivos dos trabalhadores, nas suas dimensões individual, grupal e política.L'article propose une problématisation du processus de transformation du travail contemporain au Chili. Trois expériences sont décrites au départ d’études menées selon la perspective des cliniques de travail (éducatives, psychosociales et socio-analytiques) dans différents scénarios de travail. Une réflexion est menée ensuite à propos de la pertinence de l’approche de la clinique du travail, définie en tant que mode d’intervention contribuant à la compréhension des processus subjectifs des travailleurs, dans leur dimension individuelle, de groupe et politique.The paper aims at problematizing the process of contemporary work transformations in Chile. Three experiences are described from a clinical point of view (pedagogical, psychosocial and socio-analytical) in different work scenarios. Then, it reflects on the relevance of the clinical approach as a form of intervention, which contributes to the understanding of the workers’ subjective processes, in their individual, group and political dimensions

Rethinking non-traditional resistance at work : the case of the Indian Diaspora in Mauritius

Resistance at work can take many forms and this is reflected in the multiple ways it has been theorised in research. In this paper, I use postcolonial theory to analyse employee resistance in Mauritius. To do this, I deploy Homi Bhabha’s concepts of mimicry, ambivalence and hybridity to explore non-traditional forms of resistance among the Indian Diaspora working in the hotel industry. Using ethnographic research, I firstly look at its ‘home’-making practices as it is within the home that visions of community emerge (Bhabha, 1994) which could later influence behaviours at work. I argue that the Diaspora maintains connections with its ancestral roots via routine religious practices and language use while concomitantly resisting assimilation in the local context. The analysis is then extended to their workplace where further forms of non-traditional resistance are found to be enacted which are strongly influenced by the same values emerging at home

Anthropocene and "development" : intertwined trajectories since the beginning of the Great Acceleration = Antropoceno e "desenvolvimento" : trajetórias entrelaçadas desde o começo da Grande Aceleração

Objectives: We aim to propose the thesis that the trajectories of the Anthropocene and the current mainstream understandings of development are intertwined from the beginning. It means that the Anthropocene and the “development” are coetaneous: the implementation of development policies for the so-considered underdeveloped regions started to happen at the same time of what is known as The Great Acceleration of production, consumption and environmental degradation in a global level. Method: In this conceptual paper, we adopt a decolonial critique as an analytical lens and argue that different geopolitical positions may be necessary for approaching the issue of the Anthropocene from epistemological reflections that can include the cultural and political context of the production and reproduction of local knowledge. Results: Our theoretical argumentation sheds light on the role of Global North and South relations in shaping the environmental crisis. Latin America (LA) exemplifies the modus operandi of the intertwinement of the practical effects of development policies and the environmental consequences underlying the Anthropocene, in which natural resources are over-explored to satisfy export-oriented trade, from the South toward the North. LA is not only a propitious context to show the validity of our thesis, but also the source of alternatives to such developmental model. Conclusion: The emphasis on development as a cause of the Anthropocene supports The Great Acceleration thesis. The proposition of the name Developmentocene comes from the thesis that development and Anthropocene are coetaneous, the intertwinement of both resulting in the very definition of the new epoch.Objetivo: Buscamos propor a tese de que as trajetórias do Antropoceno e o entendimento atualmente dominante sobre desenvolvimento estão entrelaçadas desde o começo. Isso implica que o Antropoceno e o “desenvolvimento” são coetâneos: a implementação de políticas de desenvolvimento em regiões tidas como subdesenvolvidas começou a acontecer ao mesmo tempo em que teve início A Grande Aceleração da produção, do consumo e da degradação ambiental em nível global. Método: Neste artigo conceitual, nós adotamos a crítica decolonial como lente analítica e argumentamos a necessidade de diferentes posições geopolíticas para abordar a questão do Antropoceno a partir de reflexões epistemológicas que possam incluir o contexto cultural e político de produção e reprodução do conhecimento. Resultados: Nossa argumentação teórica enaltece as relações entre o Norte e o Sul Global no delineamento da crise ambiental. A América Latina (AL) exemplifica o modus operandi do entrelaçamento entre os efeitos práticos das políticas de desenvolvimento e as consequências ambientais subjacentes ao Antropoceno, em que os recursos naturais são explorados além dos limites para satisfazer o comércio para exportações, desde o Sul para o Norte. Nesse quadro, a AL não é apenas um contexto propício para mostrar a validade da nossa tese, mas também a fonte de alternativas a esse modelo de desenvolvimento. Conclusão: A ênfase no desenvolvimento como causa do Antropoceno apoia a tese da Grande Aceleração. A proposição do nome Desenvolvimentoceno advém da tese de que o desenvolvimento e o Antropoceno são coetâneos e que o entrelaçamento de ambos resulta na própria definição da nova época

Antimalarial Therapy Selection for Quinolone Resistance among Escherichia coli in the Absence of Quinolone Exposure, in Tropical South America

BACKGROUND: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is thought to develop only in the presence of antibiotic pressure. Here we show evidence to suggest that fluoroquinolone resistance in Escherichia coli has developed in the absence of fluoroquinolone use. METHODS: Over 4 years, outreach clinic attendees in one moderately remote and five very remote villages in rural Guyana were surveyed for the presence of rectal carriage of ciprofloxacin-resistant gram-negative bacilli (GNB). Drinking water was tested for the presence of resistant GNB by culture, and the presence of antibacterial agents and chloroquine by HPLC. The development of ciprofloxacin resistance in E. coli was examined after serial exposure to chloroquine. Patient and laboratory isolates of E. coli resistant to ciprofloxacin were assessed by PCR-sequencing for quinolone-resistance-determining-region (QRDR) mutations. RESULTS: In the very remote villages, 4.8% of patients carried ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli with QRDR mutations despite no local availability of quinolones. However, there had been extensive local use of chloroquine, with higher prevalence of resistance seen in the villages shortly after a Plasmodium vivax epidemic (p<0.01). Antibacterial agents were not found in the drinking water, but chloroquine was demonstrated to be present. Chloroquine was found to inhibit the growth of E. coli in vitro. Replica plating demonstrated that 2-step QRDR mutations could be induced in E. coli in response to chloroquine. CONCLUSIONS: In these remote communities, the heavy use of chloroquine to treat malaria likely selected for ciprofloxacin resistance in E. coli. This may be an important public health problem in malarious areas

Anaesthesia and PET of the Brain

Although drugs have been used to administer general anaesthesia for more than a century and a half, relatively little was known until recently about the molecular and cellular effects of the anaesthetic agents and the neurobiology of anaesthesia. Positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies have played a valuable role in improving this knowledge. PET studies using 11C-flumazenil binding have been used to demonstrate that the molecular action of some, but not all, of the current anaesthetic agents is mediated via the GABAA receptor. Using different tracers labelled with 18F, 11C and 15O, PET studies have shown the patterns of changes in cerebral metabolism and blood flow associated with different intravenous and volatile anaesthetic agents. Within classes of volatile agents, there are minor variations in patterns. More profound differences are found between classes of agents. Interestingly, all agents cause alterations in the blood flow and metabolism of the thalamus, providing strong support for the hypothesis that the anaesthetic agents interfere with consciousness by interfering with thalamocortical communication.</p