Synthesis of Tannic acid and Gallic acid nanostructures with biomedical applications

Motivation: Tannic acid (TA) and Gallic acid (GA) are natural polyphenolic compounds belonging to the family of tannins, a subset of secondary metabolites that stands out due to their biological activity, including anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiviral activities [1,2]. Our group has developed TA nanoparticles with antitumor activity that can be selectively targeted to tumors, thereby reducing the undesirable side effects associated with chemotherapy [3].In this work we have broadened the scope of these promising nanoparticles by introducing GA in their formulation. Additionally, we have tackled the synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based on TA and GA. Methods and Results: The obtained nanostructures have been characterized by physicochemical techniques: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Raman Spectroscopy, Tyndall Effect, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), UV-Visible and Infrared Spectroscopy.Our TA/GA nanoparticles have a hydrodynamic diameter of just 202 nm and a zeta potential of -34 mV. This is an improvement over the previously described TA nanoparticles. Their entrapment efficiency is very high (92.4 %). Moreover, we have simplified the synthesis by reducing the amount of coating polymer.In a different approach we have also synthesized MOFs using TA and GA as ligand and different metal cations (Fe2+, Fe3+ or Ni2+). They have different hydrodynamic diameters and shapes, and their crystallinity is being studied by X-Ray Diffraction.Conclusions: TA/GA nanoparticles have been obtained by using polymers Generally Recognized As Safe (or GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration. Their size has been optimized, so they are suitable for intravenous administration. With respect to the MOFs structures synthesized, their potential applications are more diverse (including, for example, catalytic processes) depending on their size, porosity and crystallinity

PredicForex. A tool for a reliable market. Playing with currencies

The Forex market is a very interesting market. Finding a suitable tool to forecast currency behavior will be of great interest. It is almost impossible to find a 100 % reliable tool. This market is like any other one, unpredictable. However we developed a very interesting tool that makes use of WebCrawler, data mining and web services to offer and forecast an advice to any user or broker

Histone Mutants Separate R Loop Formation from Genome Instability Induction

R loops have positive physiological roles, but they can also be deleterious by causing genome instability, and the mechanisms for this are unknown. Here we identified yeast histone H3 and H4 mutations that facilitate R loops but do not cause instability. R loops containing single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), versus RNA-DNA hybrids alone, were demonstrated using ssDNA-specific human AID and bisulfite. Notably, they are similar size regardless of whether or not they induce genome instability. Contrary to mutants causing R loop-mediated instability, these histone mutants do not accumulate H3 serine-10 phosphate (H3S10-P). We propose a two-step mechanism in which, first, an altered chromatin facilitates R loops, and second, chromatin is modified, including H3S10-P, as a requisite for compromising genome integrity. Consistently, these histone mutations suppress the high H3S10 phosphorylation and genomic instability of hpr1 and sen1 mutants. Therefore, contrary to what was previously believed, R loops do not cause genome instability by themselves.European Research Council ERC2014 AdG669898Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad BFU2013-42918-P, BFU2016-75058-

On the order of an automorphism of a smooth hypersurface

In this paper we give an effective criterion as to when a positive integer q is the order of an automorphism of a smooth hypersurface of dimension n and degree d, for every d>2, n>1, (n,d)\neq (2,4), and \gcd(q,d)=\gcd(q,d-1)=1. This allows us to give a complete criterion in the case where q=p is a prime number. In particular, we show the following result: If X is a smooth hypersurface of dimension n and degree d admitting an automorphism of prime order p then p(d-1)^n then X is isomorphic to the Klein hypersurface, n=2 or n+2 is prime, and p=\Phi_{n+2}(1-d) where \Phi_{n+2} is the (n+2)-th cyclotomic polynomial. Finally, we provide some applications to intermediate jacobians of Klein hypersurfaces

Evaluation of grip strength in hook of hamate fractures treated with osteosynthesis. Is this surgical treatment necessary?

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in hamate hook fractures and review the literature on this surgical procedure. Methods: We report the outcomes of ORIF of hamate hook fractures in 13 consecutive patients (12 men and 1 woman; mean age: 32 years (range, 22-48 years)). In eight patients (61%) the fracture was associated with ulnar nerve neuritis in Guyon's canal. We assessed the following clinical data: age, sex, mechanism of injury, side of the injured hand and associated lesions, fracture classification, average time from injury to correct diagnosis, surgical technique, complications, and length of follow-up. All patients underwent radiological imaging, including standard radiographs in two planes (anteroposterior and lateral projections), and a CT study. Functional outcomes evaluated were pain, range of motion, grip strength, Disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) and Mayo wrist score. Results: The mean follow-up was 36 months (range, 12-144 months). All 13 cases were treated with ORIF of the hook of the hamate. Mean VAS pain score was 5 preoperatively (4-9) and 1 (0-2) postoperatively. All patients returned to pre-injury level and only one patient felt pain on activity. Preoperative modified Mayo wrist score was 51 and the postoperative value was 94. All outcomes scores improved significantly from preoperative values. The patients who participated in sports postoperatively were able to do so at or near pre-injury levels. Postoperative average range of wrist motion was 76° in extension, 71° in flexion, 14° in ulnar deviation, and 21° in radial deviation. Mean grip strength in the hand with the hook fracture was 58 kg compared with 53 Kg in the unaffected hand. All patients returned to their pre-injury level of functioning after 10-12 weeks and there were no complications. Analysis of grip strength revealed values comparable with the unaffected hand. Conclusion: ORIF of hamate hook fractures is a safe and effective technique to restore normal grip strength and return to pre-injury level. In cases of ulnar nerve neuritis, neurolysis of the deep palmar branch is mandatory. Level of evidence: Level IV, Therapeutic study

La música también cuenta: combinando matemáticas y música en el aula

Es bien conocida la estrecha e histórica relación entre música y matemática. De hecho, numerosos músicos y científicos han puesto de manifiesto las conexiones existentes entre ambas disciplinas. En contraposición, existen muy pocas aportaciones, experiencias y materiales didácticos que vinculen ambas disciplinas en el medio escolar, especialmente en el contexto español. En el presente artículo se ilustra esta situación exponiendo, por un lado, el estado de la cuestión a nivel internacional y, por otro, la escasa producción académica en castellano. Partiendo de esta realidad, se presenta un proyecto europeo, el European Music Portfolio: Sounding Ways into Mathematics, que precisamente busca cubrir este déficit utilizando una perspectiva pedagógica que supere la estrechez disciplinar aún predominante. En base a las experiencias escolares existentes, dicho proyecto se propone perfilar buenas prácticas, crear materiales y actividades, y diseñar cursos de formación del profesorado a nivel europeo. Finalmente, el artículo termina discutiendo en torno al interés y al potencial que contiene el proyecto dado el contexto sociopolítico y el escenario educativo españoles actuales.The close and historical relationship between music and mathematics is well known. In fact, many musicians and scientists have highlighted existing connections between both disciplines. In contrast, there are very few contributions, experiences, and teaching materials that link the two disciplines in schools, particularly in the Spanish context. This article sheds light on this situation. For this purpose, we describe, on the one hand, the state of the art at an international level and, on the other hand, the limited academic production available in Spanish. Taking this reality as a starting point, the project European Music Portfolio: Sounding Ways into Mathematics is presented. This European project seeks to cover this deficit using a pedagogical perspective that goes beyond the narrowness of the disciplines, which still occupies a predominant position. Based on existing school experiences, this project aims to outline good practices, create materials and activities, and design teacher training courses at a European continental level. Finally, the article concludes by arguing in turn the interest and potential of the project given the current socio-political context and educational scenario in Spain

Caracterización Bromatológica y tecnofuncional de la harina de berenjena (Solanum melongena) y quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa).

La importancia de la fibra dietética en nutrición junto con la recomendación del incremento en su consumo, ha llevado a la industria alimentaria a buscar fuentes alternativas. Se ha encontrado que la fibra dietética de las frutas y verduras, en general son de mejor calidad que la proveniente de granos alimenticios (cereales y leguminosas). El objetivo del presente trabajo fue caracterizar las propiedades de las harinas de Quínoa y berenjena. Para ello se determinaron sus características bromatológicas y tecnofuncionales, los resultados mostraron que el contenido de proteína y fibra de las harinas de quínoa (12.77 ± 0.17 y 12.91 ± 1.03 %, respectivamente) y berenjena (12.57 ± 1.26 y 12.73 ± 0.37 %, respectivamente) no presentan una diferencia significativa (p < 0.05), no obstante la harina de berenjena obtuvo mejores resultados en las propiedades tecnofuncionales (CRA: 7.43 ± 1.05 g de agua/ g muestra, CRa: 3.16 ± 0.27 g de aceite/ g de muestra, y CE: 66.67 %) que la harina de quínoa, los que nos indica que estas propiedades pueden estar influenciada por el contenido de fibra dietética ingerible y sus componentes como son la celulosa, hemicelulosa; Demostrando que la harina de berenjena puede ser una fuente alternativa de fibra para el desarrollo de productos alimentarios

Evaluación de un método para la detección de plaguicidas anticolinesterasa en subproductos de la refinación de aceite.

Los plaguicidas anticolinesterasa, o inhibidores de colinesterasas son compuestos químicos que inhiben a las enzimas colinesterasas impidiendo que se destruya la acetilcolina liberada, produciendo como consecuencia un aumento en la concentración y en la duración de los efectos del neurotransmisor. Entre los mas usados para el control de las plagas se encuentran los organofosforados y carbamatos y pueden contaminar agua, suelo y tener permanencia en los alimentos. Productos contaminados pueden llegar al consumidor, por lo que seria muy util un método para la detección rapida de estos compuestos. En el presente estudio, se llevó acabo la detección de inhibidores de colinesterasas por del método Ellman, que se basa en la actividad enzimática de la acetilcolinesterasa (AChE). Se elaboro un extaracto enzimatico AChE a partir de subproducto de cabezas de pescado y se estandarizo la concentración de extracto que mostró actividad lineal durante cinco minutos. Como inhibidor de AChE se utilizó el organofosforado diazinon a diferentes concentraciones. Se evaluó el efecto de solventes lipidicos a utilizar, seleccionando el etanol al 10%. Finalmente, se ensayaron cuatro muestras de subproductos de la refinación de aceite de soya, solas y con adición de diazinon para detectar inhibidores de colinesterasas. El porcentaje de inhibición fue expresado como equivalentes de diazinon. El método fue sensible por lo que podría ser implementado en el análisis de alimentos

Residuos de la industria de refinación de aceite de soya como fuente potencial de sustancias bioactivas

El aprovechamiento de residuos industriales es una demanda prioritaria a nivel nacional e internacional, por cuestiones de sustentabilidad, ya que la enorme producción de los mismos es una consecuencia natural de la actividad humana. Puntualmente, de la etapa de desodorización en el proceso de refinación de aceite de semillas oleaginosas se obtiene un subproducto denominado genéricamente ácidos grasos destilados (AGD´s), el cual, es objeto de estudio de esta revisión. Varios autores reportan que dicho subproducto resulta ser rico en fitoesteroles, tocoferoles y escualeno, que son sustancias bioactivas ya que producen efectos hipocolesterolémicos, antioxidantes y emolientes entre otros; por lo tanto, se les considera útiles en la prevención de enfermedades cardiovasculares y degenerativa