Folding of cytosine-based nucleolipid monolayer by guanine recognition at the air-water interface

Monolayers of a cytosine-based nucleolipid (1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-(cytidine diphosphate) (ammonium salt), CDP-DG) at basic subphase have been prepared at the air-water interface both in absence and presence of guanine. The formation of the complementary base pairing is demonstrated by combining surface experimental techniques, i.e., surface pressure (π)–area (A), Brewster angle microscopy (BAM), infrared spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) and computer simulations. A folding of the cytosine-based nucleolipid molecules forming monolayer at the air-water interface occurs during the guanine recognition as absorbate host and is kept during several compression-expansion processes under set experimental conditions. The specificity between nitrogenous bases has been also registered. Finally, mixed monolayers of CDP-DG and a phospholipid (1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate (sodium salt), DMPA) has been studied and a molecular segregation of the DMPA molecules has been inferred by the additivity rule

Surface-Active Fluorinated Quantum Dots for Enhanced Cellular Uptake

Fluorescent nanoparticles, such as quantum dots, hold great potential for biomedical applications, mainly sensing and bioimaging. However, the inefficient cell uptake of some nanoparticles hampers their application in clinical practice. Here, the effect of the modification of the quantum dot surface with fluorinated ligands to increase their surface activity and, thus, enhance their cellular uptake was explored

Diodos orgánicos emisores de luz: estrategias para la optimización de dispositivos y la obtención de un oled blanco

III Encuentro sobre Nanociencia y Nanotecnología de Investigadores y Tecnólogos Andaluce

Fluorinated CdSe/ZnS quantum dots: Interactions with cell membrane

Fluorescent inorganic quantum dots are highly promising for biomedical applications as sensing and imaging agents. However, the low internalization of the quantum dots, as well as for most of the nanoparticles, by living cells is a critical issue which should be solved for success in translational research. In order to increase the internalization rate of inorganic CdSe/ZnS quantum dots, they were functionalized with a fluorinated organic ligand. The fluorinated quantum dots displayed an enhanced surface activity, leading to a significant cell uptake as demonstrated by in vitro experiments with HeLa cells. We combined the experimental and computational results of Langmuir monolayers of the DPPC phospholipid as a model cell membrane with in vitro experiments for analyzing the mechanism of internalization of the fluorinated CdSe/ZnS quantum dots. Surface pressure-molecular area isotherms suggested that the physical state of the DPPC molecules was greatly affected by the quantum dots. UV–vis reflection spectroscopy and Brewster Angle Microscopy as in situ experimental techniques further confirmed the significant surface concentration of quantum dots. The disruption of the ordering of the DPPC molecules was assessed. Computer simulations offered detailed insights in the interaction between the quantum dots and the phospholipid, pointing to a significant modification of the physical state of the hydrophobic region of the phospholipid molecules. This phenomenon appeared as the most relevant step in the internalization mechanism of the fluorinated quantum dots by cells. Thus, this work sheds light on the role of fluorine on the surface of inorganic nanoparticles for enhancing their cellular uptake

Interventions to facilitate shared decision-making using decision aids with patients in Primary Health Care: A systematic review

BACKGROUND: Shared decision making (SDM) is a process within the physician-patient relationship applicable to any clinical action, whether diagnostic, therapeutic, or preventive in nature. It has been defined as a process of mutual respect and participation between the doctor and the patient. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of decision aids (DA) in primary care based on changes in adherence to treatments, knowledge, and awareness of the disease, conflict with decisions, and patients'' and health professionals'' satisfaction with the intervention. METHODS: A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was conducted in Medline, CINAHL, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the NHS Economic Evaluation Database. The inclusion criteria were randomized clinical trials as study design; use of SDM with DA as an intervention; primary care as clinical context; written in English, Spanish, and Portuguese; and published between January 2007 and January 2019. The risk of bias of the included studies in this review was assessed according to the Cochrane Collaboration''s tool. RESULTS: Twenty four studies were selected out of the 201 references initially identified. With the use of DA, the use of antibiotics was reduced in cases of acute respiratory infection and decisional conflict was decreased when dealing with the treatment choice for atrial fibrillation and osteoporosis. The rate of determination of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the prostate cancer screening decreased and colorectal cancer screening increased. Both professionals and patients increased their knowledge about depression, type 2 diabetes, and the perception of risk of acute myocardial infarction at 10 years without statins and with statins. The satisfaction was greater with the use of DA in choosing the treatment for depression, in cardiovascular risk management, in the treatment of low back pain, and in the use of statin therapy in diabetes. Blinding of outcomes assessment was the most common bias. CONCLUSIONS: DA used in primary care are effective to reduce decisional conflict and improve knowledge on the disease and treatment options, awareness of risk, and satisfaction with the decisions made. More studies are needed to assess the impact of shared decision making in primary care