Temperature and ph responsive behaviour of antifouling zwitterionic mesoporous silica nanoparticles.

[EN] Zwitterionic brush grafting is considered a serious strategy for surface modification on mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) and a prominent alternative to polyethylene glycol films for antifouling applications. In this study, the solution behavior of poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (pSBMA) polymer brushes grafted on MSN (95 +/- 15nm particle diameter, 2.8nm pore size) was evaluated. The layers increased their hydrodynamic diameter (d(H)) with increasing temperature, indicating a conformational change from a surface-collapsed state to a fully solvated brush. This development was marked by a transition temperature, related to the molecular weight and the theoretical length of the polymer chains. Variation of d(H) with pH values was studied and a zwitterionic range of 5-9 was established where the electric charges in the molecule were balanced. Zeta potential (ZP) values for all pSBMA-MSN products were also measured. A decreasing trend of ZP with pH and an isoelectric point around 5.5-6.5 was obtained for all dispersions. Furthermore, the influence of temperature was analyzed on ZP and a directly proportional correlation was found, with increasing rates of 0.50-0.87%/degrees C. Finally, ZP variation with electrolyte concentration was determined and a range of 40-60mM of NaCl concentration was established to reach an almost zero-charge point for all nanoparticles. It was demonstrated that the solution response of pSBMA-MSN can be modulated by temperature, pH, and ionic concentration of the media. These behaviors could be used as controlled release mechanisms for the application of pSBMA-MSN as carriers in biomedicine and nanophamaceutical fields in the future. Published under license by AIP Publishing.Jose L. Gomez Ribelles acknowledges support of the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad, MINECO (Research No. MAT2016-76039-C4-1-R). CIBER-BBN is an initiative funded by the VI National R&D&I Plan 2008-2011, Iniciativa Ingenio 2010, Consolider Program, CIBER Actions, and financed by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III with assistance from the European Regional Development Fund. This work was also supported by Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnologia e Innovacion (MINCIENCIAS), Convocatoria 567 Doctorados Nacionales, and Universidad Nacional de Colombia (Grant No. DIB 201010021438). The authors acknowledge the effort of Ramon Martinez Manez, Scientific Director of the Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), and Head of the Interuniversity Research Institute for Molecular Recognition and Technological Development (IDM) at Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, where all measurements were performedBeltran-Osuna, AA.; Gómez Ribelles, JL.; Perilla, JE. (2020). Temperature and ph responsive behaviour of antifouling zwitterionic mesoporous silica nanoparticles. 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Dual Thermo- and pH-Responsive Zwitterionic Sulfobataine Copolymers for Oral Delivery System. Macromolecular Rapid Communications, 35(17), 1534-1540. doi:10.1002/marc.201400161Vasantha, V. A., Rusli, W., Junhui, C., Wenguang, Z., Sreekanth, K. V., Singh, R., & Parthiban, A. (2019). Highly monodisperse zwitterion functionalized non-spherical polymer particles with tunable iridescence. RSC Advances, 9(47), 27199-27207. doi:10.1039/c9ra05162gSuzuki, H., Murou, M., Kitano, H., Ohno, K., & Saruwatari, Y. (2011). Silica particles coated with zwitterionic polymer brush: Formation of colloidal crystals and anti-biofouling properties in aqueous medium. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 84(1), 111-116. doi:10.1016/j.colsurfb.2010.12.023Dong, Z., Mao, J., Wang, D., Yang, M., Wang, W., Bo, S., & Ji, X. (2013). Tunable Dual-Thermoresponsive Phase Behavior of Zwitterionic Polysulfobetaine Copolymers Containing Poly(N,N -dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)-Grafted Silica Nanoparticles in Aqueous Solution. Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics, 215(1), 111-120. doi:10.1002/macp.201300552Zhu, J., Zhao, X., & He, C. (2015). Zwitterionic SiO2 nanoparticles as novel additives to improve the antifouling properties of PVDF membranes. RSC Advances, 5(66), 53653-53659. doi:10.1039/c5ra05571gTeng, I.-T., Chang, Y.-J., Wang, L.-S., Lu, H.-Y., Wu, L.-C., Yang, C.-M., … Ho, J. A. (2013). Phospholipid-functionalized mesoporous silica nanocarriers for selective photodynamic therapy of cancer. Biomaterials, 34(30), 7462-7470. doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.06.001Sun, J.-T., Yu, Z.-Q., Hong, C.-Y., & Pan, C.-Y. (2012). Biocompatible Zwitterionic Sulfobetaine Copolymer-Coated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Temperature-Responsive Drug Release. Macromolecular Rapid Communications, 33(9), 811-818. doi:10.1002/marc.201100876Khatoon, S., Han, H. S., Lee, M., Lee, H., Jung, D.-W., Thambi, T., … Park, J. H. (2016). Zwitterionic mesoporous nanoparticles with a bioresponsive gatekeeper for cancer therapy. Acta Biomaterialia, 40, 282-292. doi:10.1016/j.actbio.2016.04.011Beltrán-Osuna, Á. A., Ródenas-Rochina, J., Gómez Ribelles, J. L., & Perilla, J. E. (2018). Antifouling zwitterionic pSBMA-MSN particles for biomedical applications. Polymers for Advanced Technologies, 30(3), 688-697. doi:10.1002/pat.4505Beltrán-Osuna, Á. A., Gómez Ribelles, J. L., & Perilla, J. E. (2017). A study of some fundamental physicochemical variables on the morphology of mesoporous silica nanoparticles MCM-41 type. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 19(12). doi:10.1007/s11051-017-4077-2Bhattacharjee, S. (2016). DLS and zeta potential – What they are and what they are not? Journal of Controlled Release, 235, 337-351. doi:10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.06.017Kirby, B. J., & Hasselbrink, E. F. (2004). Zeta potential of microfluidic substrates: 1. Theory, experimental techniques, and effects on separations. ELECTROPHORESIS, 25(2), 187-202. doi:10.1002/elps.200305754Characteristics of Zeta Potential Distribution in Silica Particles. (2005). Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society, 26(7), 1083-1089. doi:10.5012/bkcs.2005.26.7.1083Khung, Y. L., & Narducci, D. (2015). Surface modification strategies on mesoporous silica nanoparticles for anti-biofouling zwitterionic film grafting. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 226, 166-186. doi:10.1016/j.cis.2015.10.009Shih, Y.-J., & Chang, Y. (2010). Tunable Blood Compatibility of Polysulfobetaine from Controllable Molecular-Weight Dependence of Zwitterionic Nonfouling Nature in Aqueous Solution. Langmuir, 26(22), 17286-17294. doi:10.1021/la103186yAntonio Alves Júnior, J., & Baptista Baldo, J. (2014). The Behavior of Zeta Potential of Silica Suspensions. 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M., Zhang, Y., & Zhou, J. (2015). Water and salt transport properties of zwitterionic polymers film. Journal of Membrane Science, 491, 73-81. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2015.05.03

Aportación de la densitometría ósea en las artroplastias de rodilla

El presente trabajo consiste en una revisión clínica y radiológica de 84 artroplastias modulares de rodilla de las cuales, en 19 se ha estudiado la masa ósea periprotésica (7 cementadas y 12 sin cementar) antes, al mes y a los seis meses de la intervención mediante un densitómetro de doble fotón. Aparte, se ha probado la correlación directa entre la indicación peroperatoria de no cementar y una mayor masa ósea en todas las zonas periprotésicas; por otro lado, se ha observado una diferente distribución de la densidad mineral ósea en la tibia tras la intervención, según se haya utilizado o no cemento. Estos hallazgos confirman el estudio densitométrico previo a la intervención como un método complementario útil en la indicación de la cementación de la artroplastia total de rodilla.A clinical and radiological revision of 84 modular knee arthroplasties is presented. Periprosthesis bone mineral content was studied in 19 prostheses (7 cemented and 12 uncemented) before, surgery one and 6 months after the intervention using a densitometer of double energy. A direct correlation between the implantation of a non-cemented prosthesis and the growth of the bone mass in all the periprosthesis areas was found, existing a different distribution of the mineral bone density of the tibia after the intervention depending on the use of cement. These findings show that the densitometric study previous to an intervention as a useful complementary method in the indication of cemented total knee arthroplasty

Highway Remodeling: Harnessing Georeferenced Data for Procedural Modeling

Cursos e Congresos, C-155[Abstract] : This paper introduces a novel procedural modeling system for generating 3D highway models, leveraging real-world data inputs such as highway layouts and manual annotations of essential elements. Our highly parameterized system facilitates easy customization, including modifications to the number of lanes and other key features, broadening its applicability across diverse domains, from urban planning and transportation engineering to virtual simulationsGeneralitat Valenciana; CIBEST/2022/139Xunta de Galicia; ED431F 2021/11This work has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (AEI/PID2020-115734RB-C22). The whole team also wants to acknowledge the support provided by Side Effects Software Inc. in developing our work. Jose Ribelles was supported by Generalitat Valenciana (CIBEST/2022/139). Javier Taibo and J.A. Iglesias-Guitian were supported by Xunta de Galicia (ED431F 2021/11). Additionally, J.A. Iglesias-Guitian also acknowledges the UDC-Inditex InTalent programme and the Ministry of Science and Innovation (AEI/RYC2018-025385-I

Water and protein dynamics in protein-water mixtures over wide range of composition

© 2012 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.[EN] Water and protein dynamics in two globular protein-water systems, water-lysozyme and water-BSA (bovine serum albumine), were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) and thermally stimulated depolarization currents (TSDC) techniques. Water equilibrium sorption isotherms (ESI) measurements were also recorded at room temperature. The samples covered a wide range of composition, from practically dry solid pellets (2wt% of water) to dilute solutions (82wt% of water). Crystallization and melting events of water were studied by DSC and the amount of uncrystallized water was calculated. The evolution of dynamics with hydration level was followed for various dielectric relaxation processes, the emphasis being given to relaxation processes of polar groups on the surface of the proteins and of uncrystallized water molecules. A relationship between the formation of a conductive percolating water cluster and the saturation of the water process was found.This research has been co-financed by the European Union (European Social Fund - ESF) and Greek national funds through the Operational Program "Education and Lifelong Learning" of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) - Research Funding Program: Heracleitus II. Investing in knowledge society through the European Social Fund.Kyritsis, A.; Panagopoulou, A.; Pissis, P.; Sabater I Serra, R.; Gómez Ribelles, JL.; Shinyashiki, N. (2012). Water and protein dynamics in protein-water mixtures over wide range of composition. IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation. 19(4):1239-1246. https://doi.org/10.1109/TDEI.2012.6259997S1239124619

Chitosan-Silica Hybrid Porous Membranes

Chitosan–silica porous hybrids were prepared by a novel strategy in order to improve the mechanical properties of chitosan (CHT) in the hydrogel state. The inorganic silica phase was introduced by sol–gel reactions in acidic medium inside the pores of already prepared porous scaffolds. In order to make the scaffolds insoluble in acidic media chitosan was cross-linked by genipin (GEN) with an optimum GEN concentration of 3.2 wt.%. Sol–gel reactions took place with Tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) acting as silica precursors. GPTMS served also as a coupling agent between the free amino groups of chitosan and the silica network. The morphology study of the composite revealed that the silica phase appears as a layer covering the chitosan membrane pore walls. The mechanical properties of the hybrids were characterized by means of compressive stress–strain measurements. By immersion in water the hybrids exhibit an increase in elastic modulus up to two orders of magnitude.The research project is implemented within the framework of the Action "Supporting Postdoctoral Researchers" of the Operational Program "Education and Lifelong Learning" (Action's Beneficiary: General Secretariat for Research and Technology), and is co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Greek State, Grant Number: NARGEL-PE5(2551). JFM thanks the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for financial support through the PTDC/FIS/115048/2009 project. JLGR acknowledges the support of the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad, MINECO, through the MAT2013-46467-C4-1-R project

Osteomielitis tuberculosa tibial aislada: a propósito de un caso

Se presenta un caso infrecuent e de osteomielitis tuberculosa aislada tibial sin evidencia de focos tuberculosos en otras localizaciones óseas o extraóseas. Con éste motivo, se revisa la bibliografía y se destaca el valor diagnóstico de la biopsia así como la importancia de asociar el curetaje al tratamiento tuberculostátic o y el bue n pronóstico a distancia de estas lesiones.An infrequent cas e of tuberculous isolated tibial osteomyelitis, without any evidenc e of tuberculous focus in eithe r bone or extrabone locations is presented. With this motive the bibliography is reviewed and the diagnostic value of the biopsy is enhance d as well as the importanc e of associating the curettage to he specific treatment and the good prediction in the long run of these lesions

Influence of ferrite nanoparticle type and content on the crystallization kinetics and electroactive phase nucleation of poly(vinilidene fluoride)

This work reports on the nucleation of the β-phase of poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, by incorporating CoFe2O4 and NiFe2O4 nanoparticles, leading in this way, to the preparation of magnetoelectric composites. The fraction of filler nanoparticles needed to produce the same β- to α-phase ratio in crystallized PVDF is one order of magnitude lower in the Cobalt nanoparticles. The interaction between nanoparticles and PVDF chains induce the all trans conformation in PVDF segments and this structure then propagates in crystal growth. The nucleation kinetics is enhanced by the presence of nanoparticles, as corroborated by the increasing number of spherulites with increasing nanoparticle content and by the variations of the Avrami’s exponent. Further, the decrease of the crystalline fraction of PVDF with increasing nanoparticles content indicates that an important fraction of polymer chains are confined in interphases with the filler particle.Centro de Investigación Principe FelipeInstituto de Salud Carlos III (Ministry of Science and Innovation).FEDER funds through the "Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade – COMPETE"Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - NANO/NMed-SD/0156/2007, PTDC/CTM/69316/2006, SFRH/BPD/63148/2009Conselleria de Sanidad (Generalitat Valenciana)Spanish Ministry of Education through project No. MAT2010-21611-C03-01, EUI2008-0012

An Immersive Serious Game for the Behavioral Assessment of Psychological Needs

[EN] Motivation is an essential component in mental health and well-being. In this area, researchers have identified four psychological needs that drive human behavior: attachment, self-esteem, orientation and control, and maximization of pleasure and minimization of distress. Various self-reported scales and interviews tools have been developed to assess these dimensions. Despite the validity of these, they are showing limitations in terms of abstractation and decontextualization and biases, such as social desirability bias, that can affect responses veracity. Conversely, virtual serious games (VSGs), that are games with specific purposes, can potentially provide more ecologically valid and objective assessments than traditional approaches. Starting from these premises, the aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a VSG to assess the four personality needs. Sixty subjects participated in five VSG sessions. Results showed that the VSG was able to recognize attachment, self-esteem, and orientation and control needs with a high accuracy, and to a lesser extent maximization of pleasure and minimization of distress need. In conclusion, this study showed the feasibility to use a VSG to enhance the assessment of psychological behavioral-based need, overcoming biases presented by traditional assessment.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness funded project "Advanced Therapeutically Tools for Mental Health" (DPI2016-77396-R) and by the European Union through the Operational Program of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) on the Valencian Community 2010-2020 (IDIFEDER/2018/029)Chicchi-Giglioli, IA.; Carrasco-Ribelles, LA.; Parra Vargas, E.; Marín-Morales, J.; Alcañiz Raya, ML. (2021). An Immersive Serious Game for the Behavioral Assessment of Psychological Needs. Applied Sciences. 11(4):1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11041971S11711

Validation of an electronic frailty index with electronic health records: eFRAGICAP index

Objective: To create an electronic frailty index (eFRAGICAP) using electronic health records (EHR) in Catalunya (Spain) and assess its predictive validity with a two-year follow-up of the outcomes: homecare need, institutionalization and mortality in the elderly. Additionally, to assess its concurrent validity compared to other standardized measures: the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and the Risk Instrument for Screening in the Community (RISC). Methods: The eFRAGICAP was based on the electronic frailty index (eFI) developed in United Kingdom, and includes 36 deficits identified through clinical diagnoses, prescriptions, physical examinations, and questionnaires registered in the EHR of primary health care centres (PHC). All subjects > 65 assigned to a PHC in Barcelona on 1st January, 2016 were included. Subjects were classified according to their eFRAGICAP index as: fit, mild, moderate or severe frailty. Predictive validity was assessed comparing results with the following outcomes: institutionalization, homecare need, and mortality at 24 months. Concurrent validation of the eFRAGICAP was performed with a sample of subjects (n = 333) drawn from the global cohort and the CFS and RISC. Discrimination and calibration measures for the outcomes of institutionalization, homecare need, and mortality and frailty scales were calculated. Results: 253,684 subjects had their eFRAGICAP index calculated. Mean age was 76.3 years (59.5% women). Of these, 41.1% were classified as fit, and 32.2% as presenting mild, 18.7% moderate, and 7.9% severe frailty. The mean age of the subjects included in the validation subsample (n = 333) was 79.9 years (57.7% women). Of these, 12.6% were classified as fit, and 31.5% presented mild, 39.6% moderate, and 16.2% severe frailty. Regarding the outcome analyses, the eFRAGICAP was good in the detection of subjects who were institutionalized, required homecare assistance, or died at 24 months (c-statistic of 0.841, 0.853, and 0.803, respectively). eFRAGICAP was also good in the detection of frail subjects compared to the CFS (AUC 0.821) and the RISC (AUC 0.848). Conclusion: The eFRAGICAP has a good discriminative capacity to identify frail subjects compared to other frailty scales and predictive outcomes