Ferroptosis, a recently described form of regulated, nonapoptotic cell death mechanism, presents significant potential for cancer treatment, particularly when combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT). In this study, we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of Ir-COUBPY complexes as novel photosensitizers (PSs) for effective cancer phototherapy. These complexes exhibit high stability under both dark and light conditions and are capable of photogenerating Type I and Type II reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as photo-oxidizing NADH. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy provided direct evidence of light-induced superoxide and singlet oxygen generation, confirming dual ROS pathways. Moreover, the Ir-COUBPY complexes preferentially accumulated in the mitochondria of cancer cells, leading to the photogeneration of hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide. Photocytotoxicity studies on HeLa and A375 cancer cells underscored the role of the COUBPY ligand in enhancing PDT efficiency upon irradiation with both green and red light. Among the Ir-COUBPY complexes, the most effective PS, Ir4a, was encapsulated in polyurethane-polyurea hybrid nanocapsules (NC-Ir4a), resulting in a significant increase in phototoxic index values (e.g., from 64 to 179.6 in A375 cells). Mechanistic studies confirmed ferroptosis as the primary cell death pathway induced by Ir4a, supported by light-dependent lipid peroxidation, glutathione oxidation and depletion, intracellular ATP photodepletion, and the viability-restoring effect of Fer-1. These effects were more pronounced upon nanoencapsulation. Photobiological studies with 3D tumor spheroids of A375 cells further confirmed higher cellular uptake of NC-Ir4a, contributing to improved phototoxic efficiency. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of coumarin-based COUBPY ligands in the design of new Ir(III)-based PSs that can be activated with light within the phototherapeutic window, operating through nonconventional cell death mechanisms such as ferroptosis.
Las revistas de la editorial MDPI han generado un amplio debate debido a su influencia en el ecosistema de publicación científica actual. Este artículo analiza la actividad científica latinoamericana publicada en revistas MDPI para estudiar sus tendencias y determinar si sus patrones de producción se relacionan con los de otros contextos geográficos. Se recuperaron artículos y revisiones del período 2013-2023 de los índices SCI, SSCI, A&HCI y ESCI de Web of Science, correspondientes a 64.043 documentos de países latinoamericanos. Los resultados revelan un incremento en la productividad a partir del año 2017, con un 5% de la producción en MDPI, siendo la revista Sustainability el principal canal de comunicación en la región. Se observa en la mayoría de los resultados un panorama similar al de otros países, con aumento del uso de revistas MDPI como medio de comunicación científica, especialmente en el último quinquenio.
El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo evaluar la accesibilidad web de las entidades de ciencia, tecnología e innovación (ECTI) de Cuba, con base a las Pautas de Accesibilidad para el Contenido Web (WCAG), en su versión 2.1, a partir de una metodología que combina la evaluación automática, mediante el empleo de los validadores TAW y AChecker, con una evaluación manual, la cual se realizó por medio de la extensión Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que, de las 92 entidades evaluadas, la gran mayoría (79) presenta un nivel de accesibilidad deficiente, mientras que otras 3 poseen una accesibilidad muy deficiente. Solamente 10 alcanzan un nivel moderado. Se concluye que todas las páginas web evaluadas presentan dificultades de acceso a la información digital para las personas en situación de discapacidad, entre otros tipos de usuarios, pues ninguna alcanza un nivel de accesibilidad del 100%. Se sugiere llevar a cabo las modificaciones pertinentes de acuerdo con las medidas propuestas, con el fin de resolver los inconvenientes que obstaculizan el acceso a la página principal de estas organizaciones y ejecutar chequeos de manera periódica con las herramientas empleadas en este estudio o con otras que así lo permitan.
An investigation was carried out with the objective of identifying the trends of Cuban scientific production on some Enabling Technologies for Digital Transformation (THD) in Cuba indexed in Scopus in the period 1997-2022 and analyzing the behavior based on bibliometric indicators such as: intellectual structure, conceptual and social of them. It was carried out from the combination of said indicators and bibliometric techniques to obtain features of their behavior and the production practices of the specialized scientific community. Among the results, it was found that the annual evolution showed a linear growth both in documents and in the number of citations received, production found mainly in foreign journals and in the core area of the topic addressed. There was a coincidence in the prominent author in the co-citation network and the leader of one of the collaborative networks. The most referenced sources were: Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Information Sciences and Neurocomputing. The participation of universities and collaborations with Spain and Belgium predominated. There were most of the themes of artificial intelligence, machine learning, learning systems, human computer interaction and data mining related to health. The study highlighted the importance of contextualizing bibliometric indicators. In addition, it allowed us to compare the trends shown by Cuban scientific production with respect to the international context. Final ideas are offered on future lines of research and the importance of the results found.
The Ukrainian Institute of Scientific and Technical Expertise and Information conducted an in-depth study of the conflict of interests in scientific activity, in particular, regarding the conduct of scientific and technical expertise (UkrISTEI). Based on the analysis of Ukrainian and foreign experience, it was determined that any interests or relationships, financial or otherwise, that can be perceived as influencing the objectivity of the author, are considered a potential source of conflict of interests. Accordingly, the conflict of interest can be financial or non-financial, professional or personal. The issue of conflict of interests in the scientific activity of Ukraine remains insufficiently regulated at the level of regulatory and legislative acts. Therefore, UkrISTEI was asked to make changes to the Methodological recommendations for the performers of scientific research and development and reviewers regarding the open review of scientific research. In particular, it is proposed to add the term conflict of interest and define it as anything that interferes or can be perceived as interfering with the full and objective presentation, review, editorial decision-making or publication of materials of scientific works and development of research or non-research articles. It is important to take into account the presence of a conflict of interests during the examination of scientific projects and/or works that are carried out with the funds of the state budget or other sources of funding. After all, it affects various aspects of the life of society, in particular, related to environmental and national security, the sphere of health care, energy independence and many others. In the draft of the Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Scientific and Scientific-Technical Expertise”, it is proposed to define a conflict of interests as anything that interferes or can be perceived as something that interferes with a full and objective examination. It is also proposed to add provisions on avoiding conflicts of interest, as well as the procedure for the participants of the expert process, in the event of a conflict of interests.
