Selective Nanoshaving of Self-Assembled Monolayers of 2-(4-Pyridylethyl)Triethoxysilane

Single molecular layers of 2-(4-pyridylethyl)triethoxysilane have been deposited on native oxide surfaces of silicon, with the triethoxysilylethyl groups towards the silicon oxide interface and pyridine at the surface. It is possible to “shave” or mechanically break the molecular bonds at the alkoxy-silane (Si–C) bond using scanning atomic force microscope, leaving large swaths of surface area cut to a depth of 0.64 ± 0.06 nm, exposing the silicon of the alkoxy-silane ligand. Mechanical cleavage of the pyridine ligand alone is also possible, but more difficult to control selectively

Optical wavelength converters in fiber optical networks

Optical Networks often use a wavelength converter as part of a switching system to improve their networks. Wavelength conversion is defined as a process by which the wavelength of the transmitted signal is changed without altering the data carried by the signal. The device that performs this function is usually called a wavelength converter but it is also referred to as a wavelength (or frequency) changer, shifter or translator. It is termed an up-converter when the converted signal wavelength is longer than the original signal wavelength and it is called a down-converter if the converted signal wavelength is shorter than the original signal wavelength. A wavelength converter should be capable of receiving an incoming signal at any wavelength (i.e. a variable wavelength) at the input port and must produce the converted signal at a particular wavelength (i.e. a fixed wavelength) at the output port. Therefore the input/output (I/O) ports of the converter must possess the capability of a variable input–fixed output (VIFO) converter and the majority of the optical switching networks use this type of device

Техника модифицированной фотодинамической терапии с избирательным лазерным сканированием опухоли зависимо от наличия флюоресценции

Розглянуто метод фотодинамічної терапії із вибірковим лазерним опроміненням в області флуоресценції пухлини. Запропонований метод полягає у визначенні границь флуоресценції із подальшим «поточковим» опроміненням сфокусованим лазерним пучком із фіксованою часовою затримкою в кожній локальній ділянці тканини, терапія пухлини відбувається лише у тій зоні, в якій наявна флуоресценція. Для реалізації даного методу використано нову лікувально-діагностичну установку на основі скануючого лазерного пристрою. Для реєстрації флюоресценції ФС пухлини використано кольорову відеокамеру SD на базі ПЗЗ-матриці, підключену до ПК. Програмне забезпечення лікувально-діагностичного комплексу реалізовано у вигляді авторського програмного пакету «ControLS». Дана діагностична система може дозволити ефективніше використовувати лазерне випромінювання та враховувати коливання концентрації ФС в пухлині, залежно від наявності флюоресценції в конкретний момент часу.In this work we compare the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy with the use of conventional continuous laser irradiation of tumors and newly developed selective laser-scanning method. The proposed method consists in tumor irradiation with a beam of low power and small cross section, which moves through the selected area with a certain delay at each point. The scanning is performed only in the tumor zones with detected fluorescence. To register tumor fluorescence we use CCD-camera, connected to a PC on Windows 7. We have developed a program «ControLS» for our complex of diagnostic and treatment. Comparison of the developed PDT version with the traditional method in experiments on photodynamic treatment of mice with lung carcinomas showed that the proposed method is capable to produce an equal tumor-inhibiting effect under much lower doses of laser irradiation. This diagnostic system can permit more efficient use of laser radiation and consider fluctuations in the concentration of photosensitizer in the tumor, depending on the availability of fluorescence in the tumor tissue.В работе показан новый метод фотодинамической терапии с выборочным сканированием в зоне флуоресценции опухоли. Предложенный метод заключается в определении границ флуоресценции с последующим «точечным» облучением лазерным лучом малого поперечного сечения с фиксированной временной задержкой в каждой локальной области, при этом терапия проводится только в той зоне, в которой имеется флуоресценция. Для реализации данного метода была разработана новая лечебно-диагностическую установку на основе сканирующего лазера. Для регистрации флюоресценции ФС опухоли использовалась цветная видеокамера SD на базе ПЗС-матрицы, подключенная к ПК на основе Windows 7. Программное обеспечение лечебно-диагностического комплекса реализовано в виде авторского программного пакета «ControLS». Данная диагностическая система может позволить более эффективно использовать лазерное излучение и учитывать колебания концентрации ФС в опухоли, в зависимости от наличия флюоресценции в конкретный момент времени

Mediterranean diet and psychological well-being intervention to reverse metabolic syndrome in Chile (CHILEMED trial)

Psychosocial status and lifestyle are key risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which, in turn, are main drivers of healthcare costs and morbimortality worldwide, including Chile. Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is one of the healthiest dietary patterns under study. However, its impact on high-risk conditions, such as metabolic syndrome (MetS), and NCDs outside the Mediterranean Basin remains mostly unexplored. Even though Central Chile has an environment, food production, and culinary traditions comparable to those present in Mediterranean countries, few studies -some with significant methodological limitations- have evaluated the effect of MedDiet on health and/or disease in Chilean subjects. Importantly, a Mediterranean lifestyle is a modus vivendi that integrates physical health with mental and social well-being. Psychological well-being (PWB) is associated with healthy behaviors, positive health outcomes, and longevity, thereby emerging as a novel healthcare goal. We report here an ongoing randomized controlled clinical trial in Chilean patients with MetS seeking to test whether (1) a PWB theory-based intervention facilitates induction to and increases long-term adherence to a locally adapted MedDiet, and (2) a MedDiet intervention -implemented alone or combined with well-being promotion- is more effective at reversing MetS compared to individuals following a low-fat diet without psychological support. The CHILEan MEDiterranean (CHILEMED) diet intervention study is a 1-year trial including patients with MetS living in Chile. Participants will be assigned randomly by a computer-generated random number sequence to one of the three intervention arms: a) low-fat diet as control group, b) MedDiet alone, and c) MedDiet plus well-being support. Patients will be followed-up by individual and/or group online nutritional sessions or phone cal as well as 6- and 12-month in-person re-assessment of medical history, medication use, food intake, PWB, anthropometrics/physical exam, and blood collection for laboratory analysis. The primary outcome of the trial will be the effect of the MedDiet -with or without PWB intervention- on overall reversal of MetS compared to low-fat diet alone. Based on a statistical superiority trial, expected impact, and patient loss, the estimated study sample is 339 subjects (113 individuals per arm in 3 equal-sized groups). Currently, we have enrolled 179 patients, predominantly women, evenly distributed by age (group means ranging from 45.7 to 48,9 years-old), 3/4 are obese with almost all of them showing abdominal obesity, 70% are hypertensive, whereas <10% exhibit diabetes. If findings turn out as expected (e.g., MedDiet -with or without PWB intervention- is better than the low-fat diet for reversion of MetS at 1-year follow-up), CHILEMED will provide further beneficial evidence of the MedDiet on NCD risk conditions beyond the Mediterranean region

Human Mas-related G protein-coupled receptors-X1 induce chemokine receptor 2 expression in rat dorsal root ganglia neurons and release of chemokine ligand 2 from the human LAD-2 mast cell line

Primate-specific Mas-related G protein-coupled receptors-X1 (MRGPR-X1) are highly enriched in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons and induce acute pain. Herein, we analyzed effects of MRGPR-X1 on serum response factors (SRF) or nuclear factors of activated T cells (NFAT), which control expression of various markers of chronic pain. Using HEK293, DRG neuron-derived F11 cells and cultured rat DRG neurons recombinantly expressing human MRGPR-X1, we found activation of a SRF reporter gene construct and induction of the early growth response protein-1 via extracellular signal-regulated kinases-1/2 known to play a significant role in the development of inflammatory pain. Furthermore, we observed MRGPR-X1-induced up-regulation of the chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) via NFAT, which is considered as a key event in the onset of neuropathic pain and, so far, has not yet been described for any endogenous neuropeptide. Up-regulation of CCR2 is often associated with increased release of its endogenous agonist chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2). We also found MRGPR-X1-promoted release of CCL2 in a human connective tissue mast cell line endogenously expressing MRGPR-X1. Thus, we provide first evidence to suggest that MRGPR-X1 induce expression of chronic pain markers in DRG neurons and propose a so far unidentified signaling circuit that enhances chemokine signaling by acting on two distinct yet functionally co-operating cell types. Given the important role of chemokine signaling in pain chronification, we propose that interruption of this signaling circuit might be a promising new strategy to alleviate chemokine-promoted pain

4to. Congreso Internacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación para la Sociedad. Memoria académica

Este volumen acoge la memoria académica de la Cuarta edición del Congreso Internacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación para la Sociedad, CITIS 2017, desarrollado entre el 29 de noviembre y el 1 de diciembre de 2017 y organizado por la Universidad Politécnica Salesiana (UPS) en su sede de Guayaquil. El Congreso ofreció un espacio para la presentación, difusión e intercambio de importantes investigaciones nacionales e internacionales ante la comunidad universitaria que se dio cita en el encuentro. El uso de herramientas tecnológicas para la gestión de los trabajos de investigación como la plataforma Open Conference Systems y la web de presentación del Congreso http://citis.blog.ups.edu.ec/, hicieron de CITIS 2017 un verdadero referente entre los congresos que se desarrollaron en el país. La preocupación de nuestra Universidad, de presentar espacios que ayuden a generar nuevos y mejores cambios en la dimensión humana y social de nuestro entorno, hace que se persiga en cada edición del evento la presentación de trabajos con calidad creciente en cuanto a su producción científica. Quienes estuvimos al frente de la organización, dejamos plasmado en estas memorias académicas el intenso y prolífico trabajo de los días de realización del Congreso Internacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación para la Sociedad al alcance de todos y todas

Análisis morfológico y morfométrico de semillas de tres especies de orquídeas nativas de la región neotropical del Ecuador

El presente estudio constituye el primer reporte que describe las características morfológicas y morfométricas de Elleanthus capitatus, Epidendrum frutex y Odontoglossum hallii, tres especies nativas del Ecuador. Se encontró que las especies Epidendrum frutex y Odontoglossum hallii son estadísticamente diferentes a Elleanthus capitatus en relación a la longitud y número de semillas por miligramo, ésta última resultó ser más pequeña. Los rangos de longitud encontrados variaron entre 0,231 mm (Elleanthus capitatus) hasta 0,702 mm (Odontoglossum hallii), mientras que el promedio del número de semillas por miligramo varió entre 702 (Epidendrum frutex) a 982 (Elleanthus capitatus) semillas/mg. Sin embargo, el diámetro de la semilla no presentó diferencia significativa entre especies, con un rango promedio de 0,06 a 0,08 mm. Además, se evalúo el color observado en las semillas, teniendo en cuenta el modelo de color RVA para su reporte. Las descripciones de las características de las semillas son de vital importancia con el fin de elucidar las relaciones taxonómicas, geográficas, filogenéticas y de conservación para la gran diversidad de orquídeas