Exploring the selective incorporation of 15β-senecioyloxi-ent-kaurenoic acid methyl ester in Langmuir monolayers mimicking cell membranes.

A natural product isolated from Brazilian plant species Baccharis retusa (Asteraceae), 15β-senecioyloxi-ent-kaurenoic acid (1), demonstrated activity against trypomastigotes of the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi but it was inactive against intracellular forms. In the present work, compound 1a, a methyl ester derivative of 1, exhibited activity against intracellular amastigotes (EC = 11.8 μM), similar to that determined by the standard drug benznidazol (EC = 16.

Influence of cytochrome P450 3A4 and membrane lipid composition on doxorubicin activity.

Drug resistance is known to depend on the interactions with cell membranes and other molecules such as human cytochromes P450 (CYPs) which are anchored on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane and involved in the metabolism of anticancer drugs. In this study, we determined the influence from cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) on the interaction between the drug doxorubicin (DOX) and Langmuir monolayers mimicking cell membranes. The lipid composition was varied by changing the relative concentrations of cholesterol (Chol), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DPPE), and L-α-phosphatidylinositol (PI).

Structural equation modeling of the relationship between nursing students' quality of life and academic resilience.

Objective: Across the Middle Eastern countries, there is a lack of studies exploring the connection between the quality of life (QoL) and academic resilience of nursing students. This study determines the association between nursing students' profile variables and their QoL and academic resilience (AR).

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design with structural equation modeling (SEM) was adopted.

Performances of the BD MAX™ CDIFF assay for the detection of toxigenic Clostridioides difficile using Cary-Blair preserved samples.

Toxigenic Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a high concern because of its increasing prevalence, among both nosocomial infection and community-acquired infection contexts. A total of 1320 prospective stool samples collected on FecalSwab™ (Cary-Blair medium) were screened using BD Max™ CDIFF assay (BDM). Results were compared to the routine algorithm including immunochromatographic testing for glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and toxin A/B (tox) using C.

An Empirical Q-Matrix Validation Method for the Polytomous G-DINA Model.

A number of empirically based Q-matrix validation methods are available in the literature, all of which were developed for cognitive diagnosis models (CDMs) involving dichotomous attributes. However, in many applications, it is more instructionally relevant to classify students into more than two categories (e.g.

Latex membranes with methylene blue dye for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy.

The search for new materials that can be applied in the treatment of injured human tissues has led to the development of new dressings. Membranes have potential as dressing materials because they can be fitted to and interact with the tissue surface. In this study, we analyze the morphological properties and wettability of latex membranes, along with the incorporation of the photosensitizer methylene blue, in the context of the utility of the membranes in curative applications involving photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Use of artificial intelligence for tailored routine urine analyses.

Objectives: Urine is the most common material tested in clinical microbiology laboratories. Automated analysis is already performed, permitting quicker results and decreasing the laboratory technologist's (LT) workload. These automatic systems have introduced digital imaging concepts.

New Platform for Gravitational Microfluidic Using Ferrofluids.

Among the large variety of microfluidic platforms, surface devices are a world apart. Electrowetting systems are used to control the displacement of droplets among predetermined pathways. More confidential, superhydrophobic surfaces are more and more described as new elements to guide spherical droplet reactors.

Fractal analysis and mathematical models for the investigation of photothermal inactivation of Candida albicans using carbon nanotubes.

Candida albicans is responsible for the majority of nosocomial infections affecting immunocompromised patients. Systemic antifungals may promote microbial resistance, which has led to the search for alternative treatments, such as photothermal therapy (PTT). PTT assumes that the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with a photothermal agent generates heat that can lead to the destruction of tumor cells and the death of microorganisms.

Preparation and characterization of epicuticular wax films.

Dipping films from epicuticular wax (EW) were prepared as model systems of epicuticular wax films found in plants. In these films, the growth uniformity, surface morphology, and hydrophobicity were examined. It was observed growth uniformity (linear growth) only from the fifth layer onwards because of the influence of substrate.

Mathematical models and fractal analysis for the investigation of the photodynamic inactivation in phytopathogenic microorganisms.

The increasing and indiscriminate use of pesticides may lead to the intoxication and contamination of the environment and foods. In addition, pesticides can cause fungal resistance promoting the selection of resistant phytopathogenic fungi. This is a problem in the agricultural and human health areas, which leads to a need for developing new methodologies to address this problem.

Immobilization of triclosan and erythrosine in layer-by-layer films applied to inactivation of microorganisms.

The use of layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition technique allows materials, such as drugs, to be self-assembled in multilayers with other electrolytes by combining their properties in a nanostructured system. Triclosan (TCS) is commonly used as a drug because of its bactericidal action, while erythrosine (ERY) has been used as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapies because of its high light absorptivity in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The major advantage of investigating systems immobilized in LbL films is the benefit of characterizing the interaction through available substances in solid state techniques.

Incorporation of triclosan and acridine orange into liposomes for evaluating the susceptibility of Candida albicans.

Candida albicans is responsible for many of the infections affecting immunocompromised individuals. Although most C. albicans are susceptible to antifungal drugs, uncontrolled use of these drugs has promoted the development of resistance to current antifungals.

Spray layer-by-layer films for photodynamic inactivation.

Background: A novel approach for photodynamic inactivation of Candida albicans is proposed. This method consists of realizing inactivation using ultraviolet light (254nm) combined with spraying layer-by-layer films of acridine orange.

Methods: To evaluate the effectiveness of the approach, the C.

Staging Lymphadenectomy in Patients With Clear Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the rate of lymph node (LN) metastasis in comprehensively staged ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) clinically confined to the ovary and determine factors associated with LN metastasis.

Methods: We identified all cases of OCCC treated at 4 institutions from January 1994 through December 2011. We included cases with disease grossly confined to the ovary that had surgical staging performed, including at least 10 LNs sampled.

Postoperative pain medication requirements in patients undergoing computer-assisted (“Robotic”) and standard laparoscopic procedures for newly diagnosed endometrial cancer.

Purpose: Laparoscopy (LSC) offers superior patient outcomes compared to laparotomy. Small retrospective/prospective series have suggested robotics offers further reduction in postoperative pain and pain medication use compared to standard LSC. Our objective was to compare postoperative pain in patients undergoing robotically assisted (RBT) versus standard LSC for newly diagnosed endometrial cancer.

Introduction of a computer-based surgical platform in the surgical care of patients with newly diagnosed uterine cancer: outcomes and impact on approach.

Objective: To assess the introduction of computer-based surgery (ie, robotic surgery [RBT]) in the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed uterine cancer.

Methods: We identified all patients who presented to our institution for initial surgical care of newly diagnosed uterine cancer from 5/1/07-12/31/10. Perioperative outcomes of laparotomy cases were compared to those of laparoscopic (LSC) or RBT cases.