Low-cost ceramic membranes: A research opportunity for industrial application

Obtaining low-cost ceramic membranes has attracted great interest in the scientific community in last years, as it allows to preserve the advantages of ceramic materials while significantly reduce their manufacturing costs. This type of membranes is mainly based on the use of raw materials and manufacturing processes typical of traditional ceramic materials, i.e silicate-based ceramics. This work exhaustively reviews the raw materials, ceramic compositions and variables of the manufacturing processes used in the development of these membranes, with special emphasis on their numerous potential industrial applications

Preparation of chamott es as raw material for low - cost ceramic membranes

Low cost ceramic membranes are usually prepared fro m a mixture of natural raw materials and some organic porogen agent, as starch . The fact that the porogen must be completely eliminated during firing, leaving an int erconnected porous structure, impose large firing times, increasing the final price. A s tudy about the synthesis of porous chamottes as an alternative to organic pore formers was conducted to reduce firing costs. Chamottes were obtained from mixtures of a c lay and starch. Different starches were used and the influence of the composition and processing variables were studied. The viability of the porous chamottes was demonstra ted.Supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y C ompetitividad (Plan Nacional de I+D, ref. CTQ2012 37450 C02 02)

Targeting Neuroinflammation with Abscisic Acid Reduces Pain Sensitivity in Females and Hyperactivity in Males of An ADHD Mice Model

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental syndrome characterized by dopaminergic dysfunction. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate that there is a link between dopaminergic deficit and neuroinflammation that underlies ADHD symptoms. We used a validated ADHD mice model involving perinatal 6-OHDA lesions. The animals received abscisic acid (ABA), an anti-inflammatory phytohormone, at a concentration of 20 mg/L (drinking water) for one month. We tested a battery of behavior tests, learning and memory, anxiety, social interactions, and pain thresholds in female and male mice (control and lesioned, with or without ABA treatment). Postmortem, we analyzed microglia morphology and Ape1 expression in specific brain areas related to the descending pain inhibitory pathway. In females, the dopaminergic deficit increased pain sensitivity but not hyperactivity. In contrast, males displayed hyperactivity but showed no increased pain sensitivity. In females, pain sensitivity was associated with inflammatory microglia and lower Ape1 levels in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and posterior insula cortex (IC). In addition, ABA treatment alleviated pain sensitivity concomitant with reduced inflammation and normalized APE1. In males, ABA reduced hyperactivity but had no significant effect on inflammation in these areas. This is the first study proving a sex-dependent association between dopamine dysfunction and inflammation in specific brain areas, hence leading to different behavioral outcomes in a mouse model of ADHD. These findings provide new clues for potential treatments for ADHD

Fenotipos y endotipos en alergia alimentaria

La alergia alimentaria es un evento frecuente, especialmente en la población pediátrica, que afecta entre el 3-6% de los niños. Existen diversos desafíos en el cuidado de los pacientes con alergia alimentaria, pero ciertamente la diversidad de los síntomas y el desenlace de la enfermedad son aspectos importantes en el tratamiento de los pacientes, en la elaboración de las pautas de cuidado y en el conocimiento de la historia natural de la enfermedad. La clasificación en fenotipos permite una mejor comprensión de la evolución de la alergia alimentaria. El endotipo es un subtipo de un fenotipo definido por su característica fisiopatológica. Las características genéticas, epigenéticas y ambientales interfieren en la construcción del fenotipo y sus posibles endotipos. Entender los fenotipos y endotipos de las alergias alimentarias trae consigo dos aspectos fundamentales: 1) la necesidad de entender que el análisis de fenotipos y endotipos en alergia alimentaria permitirá establecer pronósticos y ayudar en la intervención con terapias específicas, y 2) la importancia de comprender la caracterización de los endotipos y fenotipos locales, y la diversidad alimentaria de los diferentes países que conforman América Latina trae consigo un variado menú de alimentos que puede suponer un riesgo de alergia que es necesario estudiar

Laboratory and industrial testing of silica bricks for coke ovens

In order to rationalize the reconstruction of coke ovens' walls in a local steelmaking, a set of laboratory and industrial tests was carried out on silica KN bricks. Two types of bricks that are currently used in oven construction were analyzed, one being less expensive than the other. On the other hand, 25 year-old original bricks were also studied. The results of laboratory tests were analyzed taking into account the requirements of DIN 1089 standard. Additionally, an evaluation of costs was carried out.Fil: Camerucci, Maria Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; ArgentinaFil: Tomba Martinez, Analia Gladys. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; ArgentinaFil: Cavalieri, Ana Lia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; ArgentinaFil: de Córdova, M.. SIDERAR; ArgentinaFil: Beltrán, D.. SIDERAR; ArgentinaFil: Topolevsky, R.. SIDERAR; Argentin

Plan de negocios para un restaurante de comida saludable a domicilio “Healthy Food to Go”

126 Páginas incluye diagramas.Cerca de un cuarenta y cinco por ciento de la población colombiana tiene sobrepeso, un 18 por ciento lo conforman niños, según la última encuesta que data del 2005.1 Partiendo de ello, se percibe que en la actualidad la tendencia hacia una alimentación saludable cada día toma gran relevancia debido en gran medida a la aparición de múltiples enfermedades relacionadas con los malos hábitos alimentarios y al nivel de obesidad que hoy se percibe en la población. En Bucaramanga existen establecimientos que ofrecen comidas o alimentos que intentan pasar por saludables, sin embargo están muy lejos de serlo. La comida saludable no parece ser una moda pasajera existe un nuevo nicho de mercado por explotar donde se percibe una oportunidad de negocio como respuesta a una demanda en crecimiento, “HEALTHY FOOD TO GO” podría fácilmente tener una aceptación en el mercado además de ser muy rentable e innovador

Analytical strategy for the detection of antibiotic residues in sheep and goat's milk

© INIA. Manuscripts published are the property of the Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria SJAR is an Open Access Journal. All articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC by-nc/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.[EN] The use of antibiotics to treat mastitis and other infectious diseases in dairy sheep and goats is a widespread practice nowadays that can, when not properly applied, result in the contamination of the milk supply. Spanish legislation establishes the control of the presence of antibiotic residues in sheep and goat s milk using screening methods that detect, at least, beta-lactam drugs. Microbial inhibitor tests using Geobacillus stearothermophilus var. calidolactis and specific receptor-binding assays are most widely employed for this purpose. The detection rates of screening tests routinely used in Spain have been calculated considering the frequency of use of veterinary drugs commonly applied in ovine and caprine livestock to treat and prevent mastitis as well as the test sensitivity toward these substances at safety levels. In general, the use of a single test allows detecting 62.8-82.4% of the antibiotics employed. For sheep milk, the total detection range achieved with microbial tests was significantly higher than that reached with rapid receptor tests. However, no significant differences between the two types of methods were found when goat s milk was analysed. In both types of milk, the simultaneous use of two screening tests with a different analytical basis increases the total detection range significantly,reaching values ≥ 90% in some cases (81.5-90.1% for sheep and 84.7-92.6% for goats). However, the periodical use of screening tests able to detect quinolones, macrolides or aminoglycosides would be recommended to carry out more efficient screening and ensure the safety of milk and dairy products from sheep and goats.This work forms part of the Project AGL2009-11524 financed by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (Madrid, Spain).Beltrán Martínez, MC.; Althaus, RL.; Molina Casanova, AM.; Berruga Fernandez, MI.; Molina Pons, MP. (2015). Analytical strategy for the detection of antibiotic residues in sheep and goat's milk. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research. 13(1):e05-001. https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2015131-6522Se05001131Althaus, R. L., Torres, A., Montero, A., Balasch, S., & Molina, M. P. (2003). Detection Limits of Antimicrobials in Ewe Milk by Delvotest Photometric Measurements. Journal of Dairy Science, 86(2), 457-463. doi:10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(03)73624-8Beltrán, M. C., Romero, T., Althaus, R. L., & Molina, M. P. (2013). Evaluation of the Charm maximum residue limit β-lactam and tetracycline test for the detection of antibiotics in ewe and goat milk. Journal of Dairy Science, 96(5), 2737-2745. doi:10.3168/jds.2012-6044Beltrán, M. C., Althaus, R. L., Berruga, M. I., Molina, A., & Molina, M. P. (2014). Detection of antibiotics in sheep milk by receptor-binding assays. International Dairy Journal, 34(2), 184-189. doi:10.1016/j.idairyj.2013.09.006BELTRÁN, M. C., BORRÀS, M., NAGEL, O., ALTHAUS, R. L., & MOLINA, M. P. (2014). Validation of Receptor-Binding Assays To Detect Antibiotics in Goat’s Milk. Journal of Food Protection, 77(2), 308-313. doi:10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-13-253Beltrán, M. C., Berruga, M. I., Molina, A., Althaus, R. L., & Molina, M. P. (2015). Performance of current microbial tests for screening antibiotics in sheep and goat milk. International Dairy Journal, 41, 13-15. doi:10.1016/j.idairyj.2014.09.007Berruga MI, Lozoya S, Rubio R, Castro N, Molina A, 2008. Estudio sobre las posibles causas de la presencia de residuos de antimicrobianos en la leche de ovino y caprino. Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Medio Rural y Marino (MARM), Madrid, 102 pp.Berruga MI, Beltrán MC, Novés B, Molina A, Molina MP, 2011. Effect of penicillins on the acidification of yogurt made from ewe's milk during the storage. In: Science and technology against microbial pathogens - Research, development and evaluation (Mendez-Vilas A, ed.).World Sci Publ, Hackensack, NJ (USA), pp: 145-149.Gonzalo, C., Carriedo, J. A., García-Jimeno, M. C., Pérez-Bilbao, M., & de la Fuente, L. F. (2010). Factors influencing variation of bulk milk antibiotic residue occurrence, somatic cell count, and total bacterial count in dairy sheep flocks. Journal of Dairy Science, 93(4), 1587-1595. doi:10.3168/jds.2009-2838IDF, 2013. IDF guide to prudent use of antimicrobial agents in dairy production. International Dairy Federation, Brussels, Belgium.Molina, M. P., Althaus, R. L., Molina, A., & Fernández, N. (2003). Antimicrobial agent detection in ewes’ milk by the microbial inhibitor test brilliant black reduction test—BRT AiM®. International Dairy Journal, 13(10), 821-826. doi:10.1016/s0958-6946(03)00107-9Montero, A., Althaus, R. L., Molina, A., Berruga, I., & Molina, M. P. (2005). Detection of antimicrobial agents by a specific microbiological method (Eclipse100®) for ewe milk. Small Ruminant Research, 57(2-3), 229-237. doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2004.07.006Nagel, O. G., Beltrán, M. C., Molina, M. P., & Althaus, R. L. (2012). Novel microbiological system for antibiotic detection in ovine milk. Small Ruminant Research, 102(1), 26-31. doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2011.11.018Pengov, A., & Kirbis, A. (2009). Risks of antibiotic residues in milk following intramammary and intramuscular treatments in dairy sheep. Analytica Chimica Acta, 637(1-2), 13-17. doi:10.1016/j.aca.2008.09.021Pirisi, A., Lauret, A., & Dubeuf, J. P. (2007). Basic and incentive payments for goat and sheep milk in relation to quality. Small Ruminant Research, 68(1-2), 167-178. doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2006.09.009Sanders P, Bousquet-Melou A, Chauvin C, Toutain PL, 2011. Utilisation des antibiotiques en élevage et enjeux de santé publique. INRA Prod Anim 24: 199-204.Scintu, M. F., & Piredda, G. (2007). Typicity and biodiversity of goat and sheep milk products. Small Ruminant Research, 68(1-2), 221-231. doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2006.09.005Sierra, D., Sánchez, A., Contreras, A., Luengo, C., Corrales, J. C., Morales, C. T., … Gonzalo, C. (2009). Detection limits of four antimicrobial residue screening tests for β-lactams in goat’s milk. Journal of Dairy Science, 92(8), 3585-3591. doi:10.3168/jds.2008-1981Sierra, D., Contreras, A., Sánchez, A., Luengo, C., Corrales, J. C., Morales, C. T., … Gonzalo, C. (2009). Short communication: Detection limits of non-β-lactam antibiotics in goat’s milk by microbiological residues screening tests. Journal of Dairy Science, 92(9), 4200-4206. doi:10.3168/jds.2009-210

Study of the interaction mechanism between hydrophilic thiol capped gold nanoparticles and melamine in aqueous medium

In the last years, intense efforts have been made in order to obtain colloidal-based systems capable of pointing out the presence of melamine in food samples. In this work, we reported about the recognition of melamine in aqueous solution, using gold nanoparticles stabilized with 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonate (AuNPs-3MPS), with the aim of deepening how the recognition process works. AuNPs were synthesized using a wet chemical reduction method. The synthesized AuNPs-3MPS probe was fully characterized, before and after the recognition process, by both physicochemical (UV–vis, FT-IR, 1H-NMR, DLS and ζ-potential) and morphostructural techniques (AFM, HR-TEM). The chemical and electronic structure was also investigated by SR-XPS. The sensing method is based on the melamine-induced aggregation of AuNPs; the presence of melamine was successfully detected in the range of 2.5−500 ppm. The results achieved also demonstrate that negatively charged AuNPs-3MPS are potentially useful for determining melamine contents in aqueous solution. SR-XPS measurements allowed to understand interaction mechanism between the probe and the analyte. The presence of sulfonate groups allows a mutual interaction mediated by electrostatic bonds between nanoparticles surface thiols and positively charged amino groups of melamine molecules

L-Ferritin Binding to Scara5 : A New Iron Traffic Pathway Potentially Implicated in Retinopathy

Iron is essential in the retina because the heme-containing enzyme guanylate cyclase modulates phototransduction in rods and cones. Transferrin endocytosis is the classical pathway for obtaining iron from the blood circulation in the retina. However, the iron storage protein ferritin has been also recently proposed as an iron carrier. In this study, the presence of Scara5 and its binding to L-ferritin was investigated in the retina. Our results showed that Scara5, the specific receptor for L-ferritin, was expressed in mouse and human retinas in many cell types, including endothelial cells. Furthermore, we showed that intravenously injected ferritin crossed the blood retinal barrier through L-ferritin binding to Scara5 in endothelial cells. Thus, suggesting the existence of a new pathway for iron delivery and trafficking in the retina. In a murine model of photoreceptor degeneration, Scara5 was downregulated, pointing out this receptor as a potential player implicated in retinopathy and also as a possible therapeutic target

Climate trends and extremes in the Indus River Basin, Pakistan: implications for agricultural production

ABSTRACT: Historical and future projected changes in climatic patterns over the largest irrigated basin in the world, the Indus River Basin (IRB), threaten agricultural production and food security in Pakistan, in particular for vulnerable farming communities. To build a more detailed understanding of the impacts of climate change on agricultures in the IRB, the present study analyzes (1) observed trends in average temperature, precipitation and related extreme indicators, as well as seasonal shifts over a recent historical period (1997-2016); and (2) statistically downscaled future projections (up to 2100) from a set of climate models in conjunction with crop-specific information for the four main crops of the IRB: wheat, cotton, rice and sugarcane. Key findings show an increasing trend of about over 0.1ºC/year in observed minimum temperature across the study area over the historical period, but no significant trend in maximum temperature. Historical precipitation shows a positive annual increase driven mainly by changes in August and September. Future projections highlight continued warming resulting in critical heat thresholds for the four crops analyzed being increasingly exceeded into the future, in particular in the Kharif season. Concurrently, inter-annual rainfall variability is projected to increase up to 10-20% by the end of the 21st century, augmenting uncertainty of water availability in the basin. These findings provide insight into the nature of recent climatic shifts in the IRB and emphasize the importance of using climate impact assessments to develop targeted investments and efficient adaptation measures to ensure resilience of agriculture in Pakistan into the futur