Synthesis and Characterization of a Gallic Acid Metal Organic Framework for Antitumoral Therapy

Motivation: Nano-Metal Organic Frameworks (n-MOFs) are emerging as promising drug delivery systems in biomedical applications owing to their composition versatility and high porosity [1] The aim of our work was to synthetize an n-MOF comprising Gallic acid (GA), as organic ligand, and Fe III, as coordination cation. The election of the n-MOF components obeys to their physiological properties. Specifically, GA is a natural product belonging to the family of polyphenols, which exert a wide range of biological activities, such as antioxidant and pro-apoptotic activities that may be applied in tumor prevention [2] and antitumoral therapy [3,4], respectively.Methods: The n-MOF comprising GA and Fe(III), GalFe, has been synthetized under gentle conditions (room temperature and aqueous medium) and characterized by UV-Vis spectrometry, FTIR spectroscopy, DLS and electron microscopy. Studies of entrapment efficiency and release profile were performed using a fluorescent marker (rhodamine 6G; R6G) as model cargo.Results: GalFe nanoparticles are spherical, with a mean hydrodynamic diameter of 270 nm and a zeta potential of -22 mV. The FTIR spectrum of GalFe is similar to that of nano-MOF MIL-53, which comprises terephthalic acid and Fe (III), and the characteristic bands of GA are clearly observable in the spectrum. GalFe nanoparticles are stable in water over a wide range of pHs (from pH 4 to 9). At low pH (1-3), nevertheless, most of the hydroxyl groups are protonated, which led to a rapid destabilization and disassembly [5]. The entrapment efficiency of R6G is extremely high (99.9%), and the nanoparticles do not release their cargo after 24 hours of dialysis against water. Conclusions: We have synthetized and characterized an n-MOFS that contains gallic acid as organic ligand. Pro-apoptotic properties of gallic acid convert this new nanomaterial into a promising candidate in antitumoral therapy. An additional layer of complexity was introduced by encapsulating a water-soluble fluorescent marker, giving access to imaging and therapeutic applications

Bonding strength of stainless steel rebars in concretes exposed to marine environments

Many studies have corroborated the use of Stainless Steel Reinforcements (SSR) for structures in corrosive environments. However, even though the conditions for their employment are specified in different standards, their use is always tied to the same requirements for standard carbon steel rebars (B500SD), among which an equivalent carbon content for weldability that is inappropriate for SSR. Further studies are therefore needed to develop suitable standards that will focus on addressing not only the content, but also the technical advantages of SSR for structural engineering under specific conditions. The results of this study show improvements in the maximum bond strength behaviour of different SSRs in simulated marine environments, in comparison with B500SD, in terms of several variables: Bond index, curing time, w/c ratio, and corrosion. Specifically, the test results showed that: (a) the Bond index was not a suitable parameter for the evaluation of the bonding strength of SSR; (b) the curing time increased the bonding strength of Lean Duplex Stainless Steel (LDSS); (c) a higher w/c ratio tended to decrease bond strength, although less so in LDSS; and, (d) corrosion reduced bond strength, especially in B500SD.The tests presented in this manuscript were performed as part of the IISIS: ‘‘Investigación Integrada en Islas Sostenibles” (Integrated research in Sustainable Islands) research project, in receipt of funding from the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) and the Technological Fund, part of the Spanish Ministry of Industry, through the INNPRONTA research programme. The authors would also like to thank Research Group IT781-13 ‘‘Comprehensive sustainability in building systems and materials”, at the University of the Basque Country, for scientific assistance and support. Finally, we are also especially thankful to ACERINOX EUROPA (part of the ACERINOX Group) for funding the IISIS project, supplying the necessary rebar samples for testing, and particularly to Rafael Sanchez and Julia Contreras from Technical Dpt./Labs for providing their expertise and for their commitment that have greatly assisted our researc

Tumor location on electroporation therapies by means of multi-electrode structures and machine learning

Electroporation is a phenomenon produced in the cell membrane when it is exposed to high pulsed electric fields that increases its permeability. Among other application fields, this phenomenon can be exploited in a clinical environment for tumor ablation therapies. In this context to achieve optimum results, it is convenient to focus the treatment on the tumor tissue to minimize side effects. In this work, a pre-treatment tumor location method is developed, with the purpose of being able to precisely target the therapy. This is done by taking different impedance measurements with a multi-output electroporation generator in conjunction with a multi-electrode structure. Data are processed by means of a vector of independent artificial neural networks, trained and tested with simulation data, and validated with phantom gels. This algorithm proved to provide suitable accuracy in spite of the low electrode count compared to the number of electrodes of a standard electrical impedance tomography device

A los muy RR. PP. Provinciales, Maestros, Priores, Rectores, Presidentes y Vicarios á las RR. MM. Prioras ó Presidentas y á los demas religiosos y religiosas de la Orden de Predicadores de España e Indias Nos Fr. Joaquin Briz ... Al contemplar en los libros santos los pasos y acciones asombrosas del libertador de los israelitas el grande profeta Moisés ...

Tít. tomado del principio del textoTexto fechado en Zaragoza á 30 de abril de 183

In Dei filio sibi dilectis RR. Adm. PP. Provincialibus, magistris, prioribus, rectoribus, vicariis, praesidentibus, necnon religiosis omnibus ordinis praedicatorum provinciarum Hispaniae atque Indiarum Nos Fr. Joachimus Briz ... Nuper per organum Excmi. ac Rmi. D. D. Francisci Tiberi in Hispaniarum regnis Nuntii Apostolici die scilicet XXVIII januarii et VIII februarii anni currentis á Ssmo. Dño. Nostro Gregorio Papa XVI ..

Tít. tomado del principio del textoTexto fechado en "in Regali nostro praedicatorum Caesaraugustano Coenobio die VII mensis martii ... anni millesimi octingentesimi trigesimi secundi"Hoja impresa por una sola car

A los muy RR. PP. Provinciales, Priores, Rectores Maestros, á las RR. Madres Prioras ó Presidentas y á todos los demas Religiosos y Religiosas de la Orden de Predicadores Nos Fr. Joaquin Briz ... La dulce memoria de los singulares beneficios con que María Santísima ha protegido á nuestra Orden desde su nacimiento, nos ha estimulado siempre á buscar todos los medios para aumentar y propagar su devocion ..

Tít. tomado del principio del textoTexto fechado en "Madrid á los seis dias del mes de septiembre de mil ochocientos treinta

Universis et singulis RR. Adm. patribus provincialibus, magistris, prioribus, praesidentibus, rectoribus, vicariis, RR. priorissis ac praesidentibus, relisque religiosis et monialibus Ordinis Praedicatorum Provinciarum Hispaniae atque Indiarum Nos Fr. Joacimus Briz ... Sex circiter secula á sua institutione compleverat Praedicatorum Ordo sub uno tantum capite, ad vitam ipsum gubernante ...

Tít. tomado del princiapo del textoTexto fechado Matriti ... die vigesima mensis julii anni millesimi octingentesimi trigesimi prim

A los M. RR. PP. Provinciales, Maestros, Priores, Vicarios ó principales Presidentes, á las RR. MM. Prioras, ó Presidentas, y demas Religiosos y Religiosas de la Orden de Predicadores. Nos Fr. Joaquin Briz, ... Maestro General de la misma Orden... Al considerar, amados hijos é hijas, la economía admirable con que la divina Providencia ha dispensado á nuestro Sagrada Orden sus misericordias desde su fundación ..

Tít. tomado del principio del textoTexto fechado en "Madrid Real Convento de Santo Tomas 1º de septiembre de 1828

A los muy RR. PP. Proviniciales, priores, maestros, presentados, rectores, presidentes, y demas religiosos de la orden de predicadores de las tres provincias de Castilla, Aragon y Andalucia Nos fray Joaquin Briz ... maestro general ... El celo que nuestros Católicos monarcas han manifestado siempre no solo en conservar en sus dominios la religión católica, sino aun en promoverla ...

Tít. tomado del principio del textoTexto fechado en "Convento de Sto. Tomas de Madrid á 20 de febrero de 1830