Biomimetic Based Applications

The interaction between cells, tissues and biomaterial surfaces are the highlights of the book "Biomimetic Based Applications". In this regard the effect of nanostructures and nanotopographies and their effect on the development of a new generation of biomaterials including advanced multifunctional scaffolds for tissue engineering are discussed. The 2 volumes contain articles that cover a wide spectrum of subject matter such as different aspects of the development of scaffolds and coatings with enhanced performance and bioactivity, including investigations of material surface-cell interactions

Investigation of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) released as a result of spoilage in whole broccoli, carrots, onions and potatoes with HS-SPME and GC-MS

Vegetable spoilage renders a product undesirable due to changes in sensory characteristics. The aim of this study was to investigate the change in the fingerprint of VOC composition that occur as a result of spoilage in broccoli, carrots, onions and potatoes. SPME and GC-MS techniques were used to identify and determine the relative abundance of VOC associated with both fresh and spoilt vegetables. Although a number of similar compounds were detected in varying quantities in the headspace of fresh and spoilt samples, certain compounds which were detected in the headspace of spoilt vegetables were however absent in fresh samples. Analysis of the headspace of fresh vegetables indicated the presence of a variety of alkanes, alkenes and terpenes. Among VOCs identified in the spoilt samples were dimethyl disulphide and dimethyl sulphide in broccoli; Ethyl propanoate and Butyl acetate in carrots; 1-Propanethioland 2-Hexyl-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone in onions; and 2, 3-Butanediol in potatoes. The overall results of this study indicate the presence of VOCs that can serve as potential biomarkers for early detection of quality deterioration and in turn enhance operational and quality control decisions in the vegetable industry

Wine Cunterfeiting: Development of fast, non-destructive and multifactorial laser-based spectrochemical methods for authentication of bottled wine

378 p.La presente Tesis Doctoral pretende avanzar en el desarrollo de una herramienta analítica que permita certificar la autenticidad de un vino de forma inequívoca mediante técnicas analíticas no invasivas (es decir, prácticamente inapreciable a simple vista) como son la ablación laser con plasma de acoplamiento inductivo-espectrometría de masas (LA-ICPMS) y las espectroscopias Raman e Infrarroja, que permiten el análisis de una muestra sólida sin necesidad de procesarla y sin inducir degradación o alteración apreciable alguna. Mediante la metodología desarrollada se pretende establecer el perfil elemental y molecular del vidrio, el papel, la tinta y la cápsula de las botellas de vino

Wine Cunterfeiting: Development of fast, non-destructive and multifactorial laser-based spectrochemical methods for authentication of bottled wine

378 p.La presente Tesis Doctoral pretende avanzar en el desarrollo de una herramienta analítica que permita certificar la autenticidad de un vino de forma inequívoca mediante técnicas analíticas no invasivas (es decir, prácticamente inapreciable a simple vista) como son la ablación laser con plasma de acoplamiento inductivo-espectrometría de masas (LA-ICPMS) y las espectroscopias Raman e Infrarroja, que permiten el análisis de una muestra sólida sin necesidad de procesarla y sin inducir degradación o alteración apreciable alguna. Mediante la metodología desarrollada se pretende establecer el perfil elemental y molecular del vidrio, el papel, la tinta y la cápsula de las botellas de vino

Implementación de un sistema de evaluación sensorial electrónico para el control de calidad de vinos

Esta investigación está dedicada fundamentalmente a la aplicación de nuevos métodos de análisis de datos para mejorar los resultados obtenidos por los sistemas de valoración sensorial electrónica. Los métodos desarrollados entregaron soluciones fiables, robustas, y lo más importante adecuadas y adaptadas concretamente a la necesidad específica del problema de partida. Una parte fundamental del trabajo ha sido la modificación, estimación e integración de diferentes algoritmos de procesado de señales. Entre ellos se han aplicado algoritmos multivariantes como el PCA (Análisis de componentes principales), PLS (Regresión por mínimos cuadrados parciales), y métodos quimiométricos avanzados como el Tucker3, el ANOVA-PLS y el PLS-GA. De esta manera se ha evaluado y demostrado el potencial que tienen la nariz y lengua electrónica diseñadas en nuestro grupo de investigación para el control de calidad y caracterización organoléptica de vinos. Con estos dispositivos electrónicos y nuestros tratamientos quimiométricos ha sido posible llegar a un conocimiento más profundo de los fenómenos que tienen lugar en diversas situaciones vinculadas a la aplicación de nuevas tecnologías en la elaboración del vino, como son el uso de métodos alternativos para su envejecimiento, el uso del tapón sintético para su embotellado y el efecto de la fermentación barrica de roble en los vinos blancos.Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Cristalografía y Mineralogí

Antimicrobial 405 nm light for clinical decontamination, investigation of the antiviral efficacy and potential for bacterial tolerance

Hospital associated infections result in longer patient stays, increased treatment costs and morbidity and mortality. Novel technologies utilising UV light, hydrogen peroxide vapour and ozone have been designed to provide high-level environmental decontamination, in an attempt to prevent patient acquisition of nosocomial pathogens. However due to safety concerns, these technologies are only suitable for intermittent terminal cleaning, and surfaces can become quickly re-contaminated. Recently developed systems which utilise antimicrobial 405 nm violet-blue visible light have been successfully used for continuous decontamination of surfaces and air, in the presence of patients. This study investigated some fundamental questions surrounding the use of antimicrobial 405 nm light for clinical decontamination.Initial investigations studied the antiviral efficacy of 405 nm light on a model for the nosocomial pathogen, Norovirus. Studies showed positive antiviral effects in suspension and on clinically-relevant surfaces when virions were exposed in minimal media (DPBS), however this inactivation efficacy was significantly improved (85% lower dose) when the virus was suspended in organically-rich, biologically-relevant media (such as saliva and blood plasma). This enhanced inactivation is likely due to photoexcitation of the suspending media, and was demonstrated using fluorescence spectrophotometry, with excitation peaks seen for all suspending media except minimal media. A systematised review also compared 405 nm light inactivation of viruses with other clinical pathogens (bacteria, fungi), and found that viruses (exposed in minimal media) are more resilient structures, requiring higher doses for equivalent reductions, likely due to differing inactivation mechanisms.Further studies also investigated the potential for proliferating and non-proliferating bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, to become tolerant to 405 nm light. Results demonstrated that exposure to 405 nm light during cultivation resulted in higher dose requirements for complete inactivation and increased stress tolerance, however the process was unlikely to be selective. Results also demonstrated that repeated sub-lethal exposure of antibiotic sensitive and resistant vegetative cells did not give rise to tolerance or alter antibiotic susceptibility.This study has provided significant fundamental information about antimicrobial violet-blue light. The results demonstrate proof-of-concept evidence of the virucidal efficacy of 405 nm light, as well as demonstrating that bacterial tolerance is unlikely. These results further support the clinical use of antimicrobial 405 nm light for continuous environmental decontamination, with implementation likely to aid infection control and reduce hospital associated infections.Hospital associated infections result in longer patient stays, increased treatment costs and morbidity and mortality. Novel technologies utilising UV light, hydrogen peroxide vapour and ozone have been designed to provide high-level environmental decontamination, in an attempt to prevent patient acquisition of nosocomial pathogens. However due to safety concerns, these technologies are only suitable for intermittent terminal cleaning, and surfaces can become quickly re-contaminated. Recently developed systems which utilise antimicrobial 405 nm violet-blue visible light have been successfully used for continuous decontamination of surfaces and air, in the presence of patients. This study investigated some fundamental questions surrounding the use of antimicrobial 405 nm light for clinical decontamination.Initial investigations studied the antiviral efficacy of 405 nm light on a model for the nosocomial pathogen, Norovirus. Studies showed positive antiviral effects in suspension and on clinically-relevant surfaces when virions were exposed in minimal media (DPBS), however this inactivation efficacy was significantly improved (85% lower dose) when the virus was suspended in organically-rich, biologically-relevant media (such as saliva and blood plasma). This enhanced inactivation is likely due to photoexcitation of the suspending media, and was demonstrated using fluorescence spectrophotometry, with excitation peaks seen for all suspending media except minimal media. A systematised review also compared 405 nm light inactivation of viruses with other clinical pathogens (bacteria, fungi), and found that viruses (exposed in minimal media) are more resilient structures, requiring higher doses for equivalent reductions, likely due to differing inactivation mechanisms.Further studies also investigated the potential for proliferating and non-proliferating bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, to become tolerant to 405 nm light. Results demonstrated that exposure to 405 nm light during cultivation resulted in higher dose requirements for complete inactivation and increased stress tolerance, however the process was unlikely to be selective. Results also demonstrated that repeated sub-lethal exposure of antibiotic sensitive and resistant vegetative cells did not give rise to tolerance or alter antibiotic susceptibility.This study has provided significant fundamental information about antimicrobial violet-blue light. The results demonstrate proof-of-concept evidence of the virucidal efficacy of 405 nm light, as well as demonstrating that bacterial tolerance is unlikely. These results further support the clinical use of antimicrobial 405 nm light for continuous environmental decontamination, with implementation likely to aid infection control and reduce hospital associated infections

Anti-angiogenic and toxicity effects of Derris trifoliata extract in zebrafish embryo

Introduction: Derris trifoliata has been traditionally used as folk for the treatment of , rheumatic joints, diarrhoea, and dysmenorrhea, and rotenoids isolated from the plant have shown to exhibit anti-cancer properties. This study aimed to assess the toxicity effects and antiangiogenic activity of extract of Derris trifoliata on zebrafish embryo model. Materials and Methods: Zebrafihs embryos were treated with aqueous extract of Derris Trifoliata to evaluate its effects on angiogenesis and zebrafish-toxicity. Angiogenic response was analyzed using whole-mount alkaline phosphatase (AP) vessel staining on 72 hours post fertilization (hpf) zebrafish embryos. Results: 1.0 mg/ml concentration was toxic to zebrafish embryos and embryos exposed to concentrations at 0.5 mg/ml and below showed some malformations. Derris trifoliata aqueous extract also showed some anti-angiogenic activity in vivo in the zebrafish embryo model wereby at high concentration inhibited vessel formation in zebrafish embryo. Conclusions: The anti-angiogenic response of extract of Derris trifoliata in zebrafish in vivo model suggest its therapeutic potential as anti-cancer agent