Loading of antibiotic into biocoated hydroxyapatite nanoparticles: smart antitumor platforms with regulated release

In this research we propose a nanoplatform for anticancer therapy that is based on the combination of three components: (1) an antibiotic to target selectively the mitochondria of cancer cells, inhibiting their functions; (2) mineral nanoparticles (NPs) able to encapsulate the antibiotic and to enter into the cells across the cell membrane; and (3) a biocoating to protect the antibiotic during and/or after its regulated release, increasing its therapeutic efficacy. Chloramphenicol (CAM), a prototypical wide-spectrum antibiotic, has been used to induce mitochondrial-dysfunctions in cancer cells. Different in situ synthetic strategies have been tested to load such antibiotic into both crystalline hydroxyapatite (cHAp) and amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) NPs. cHAp NPs showed higher loading capacity, in terms of encapsulation and superficial adsorption of CAM, and slower antibiotic release than ACP NPs. On the other hand, the protecting role played by biocoatings based on pyrophosphate and, especially, triphosphate was greater than that of biophosphonates, the anticancer therapeutic efficacy of CAM being maximized by the former. In vitro studies using healthy and cancer cell lines have demonstrated that in situ CAM-loaded cHAp NPs coated with triphosphate selectively kill a great population of cancer cells, evidencing the potential of this nanoplatform in cancer treatment.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Fragmentation of Andes-to-Amazon connectivity by hydropower dams

Andes-to-Amazon river connectivity controls numerous natural and human systems in the greater Amazon. However, it is being rapidly altered by a wave of new hydropower development, the impacts of which have been previously underestimated. We document 142 dams existing or under construction and 160 proposed dams for rivers draining the Andean headwaters of the Amazon. Existing dams have fragmented the tributary networks of six of eight major Andean Amazon river basins. Proposed dams could result in significant losses in river connectivity in river mainstems of five of eight major systems—the Napo, Marañón, Ucayali, Beni, and Mamoré. With a newly reported 671 freshwater fish species inhabiting the Andean headwaters of the Amazon (>500 m), dams threaten previously unrecognized biodiversity, particularly among endemic and migratory species. Because Andean rivers contribute most of the sediment in the mainstem Amazon, losses in river connectivity translate to drastic alteration of river channel and floodplain geomorphology and associated ecosystem services

Quantitative Analysis Procedure for Building Materials in Historic Buildings by Applying Infrared Thermography

[EN] Historic buildings have a great cultural and architectural value. It is necessary to analyze their state of conservation, but sometimes it is difficult to perform laboratory tests without damaging this heritage. In the field of architecture, infrared thermography is usually used to provide descriptive information about the surface temperature of building materials. This current research presents a methodology widely applicable to historic buildings. As an example of application, the study is focused in the Seminary-School of Corpus Christi of Valencia (Spain), a very outstanding building from the 16th Century. This research presents an analytical study to be able to differentiate the temperature distribution of all pixels of a thermographic image. Thermal images are a matrix of data and their study helps us in decision-making based on objective data.Lerma Elvira, C.; Mas Tomas, MDLA.; Gil Benso, E.; Vercher Sanchis, JM.; Torner-Feltrer, MEM. (2018). Quantitative Analysis Procedure for Building Materials in Historic Buildings by Applying Infrared Thermography. Russian Journal of Nondestructive Testing. 54(8):601-609. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1061830918080065S601609548Avdelidis, N.P. and Moropoulou, A., Applications of infrared thermography for the investigation of historic structures, J. Cult. Heritage, 2004, no. 5, pp. 119–127. doi 10.1016/j.culher.2003.07.002Barreira, E. and Freitas, V., Evaluation of building materials using infrared thermography, Constr. Build. Mater., 2007, vol. 21, pp. 218–224. doi 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2005.06.049Bauer, E., Pavón, E., Barreira, E., and Kraus, E., Analysis of building façade defects using infrared thermography: Laboratory studies, J. Build. Eng., 2016, no. 6, pp. 93–104. doi /doi 10.1016/j.jobe.2016.02.012Binda, L., Cardani, G., and Zanzi, L., Nondestructive testing evaluation of drying process in flooded full-scale masonry walls, J. Perform. Constr. Facil., 2010, pp. 473–483. doi 10.1061/(ASCE)CF.1943-5509.0000097Cañas, I., Martín, S., and González, I., Thermal-physical aspects of materials used for the construction of rural buildings in Soria (Spain), Construct. Build. Mater., 2005, vol. 19, pp. 197–211. doi 10.1016/j.conbuildmat. 2004.05.016Carlomagno, G.M., Maio, R., Fedi, M., Meola, C., Integration of infrared thermography and high-frequency electromagnetic methods in archaeological surveys, J. Geophys. Eng., 2011, vol. 8, pp. 93–105. doi 10.1088/1742-2132/8/3/S09Cerdeira, F., Vázquez, ME, Collado, J., and Granada, E., Applicability of infrared thermography to the study of the behavior of Stone panels as building envelopes, Energy Build., 2011, vol. 43, pp. 1845–1851. doi 10.1016/j.enbuild.2011.03.029EN 13187:1998. Thermal performance of buildings. Qualitative detection of thermal irregularities in building envelopes. Infrared method (ISO 6781:1983 modified).Galarza Tortajada, M., La tapia valenciana: una técnica constructiva poco conocida, Proc. First Natl. Congr. Construct. Hist., Madrid, 1996.Grinzato, E., Bison, P.G., and Marinetti, S., Monitoring of ancient buildings by the thermal method, J. Cult. Heritage, 2002, vol. 3, pp. 21–29. doi 10.1016/S1296-2074(02)01159-7Ibarra-Castanedo C., Sfarra, S., Ambrosini, D., Paoletti, D., Bendada, A, and Maldague, X., Diagnostics of panel paintings using holographic interferometry and pulsed thermography, Quant. Infrared Thermogr. J., 2010, vol. 7, no. 1. doi 10.3166/qirt.7.85-114Lagüela, S., Martínez, J., Armesto, J., and Arias, P., Energy efficiency studies through 3D laser scanning and thermographic technologies, Energy Build., 2011, vol. 43, pp. 1216–1221. doi 10.1016/j.enbuild.2010.12.031Lerma, C., Mas, Á., Gil, E., and Galiana, M., An analytical procedure for the study of the documented construction process of the Seminary-School of Corpus Christi in Valencia (Spain), Inf. Constr., 2014, vol. 66 (533), e007. doi 10.3989/ic.12.117Lerma, C., Mas, A., Gil, E., Vercher, J., and Penalver, M.J., Pathology of building materials in historic buildings. Relationship between laboratory testing and infrared thermography, Mater. Constr., 2014, vol. 64 (313), e009. doi 10.3989/mc.2013.06612Lerma, J.L., Cabrelles, M., and Portalés, C., Multitemporal thermal analysis to detect moisture on a building façade, Construct. Build. Mater., 2011, vol. 25, pp. 2190–2197. doi 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2010.10.007Madruga, F.J., Ibarra-Castanedo, C., Conde, O., López-Higuera, J.M., and Maldague, X., Infrared thermography processing based on higher-order statistics, NDT&E Int., 2010, vol. 43, pp. 661–666. doi 10.1016/j.ndteint.2010.07.002Meola, C., Infrared thermography of masonry structures, Infrared Phys. Technol., 2007, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 228–33. doi 10.1016/j.infraredPosta, J., Dolejs, J., Non-destructive assessment of timber elements with an emphasis on radiometry., Intern. J. Arch. Herit., 2015, vol. 9, no.6.Válek, J., Kruschwitz, S., Wöstmann, J., Kind, T., Valach, J., Köpp, C., and Lesák, J., Nondestructive investigation of wet building material: Multimethodological approach, J. of performance of Constructed Facilities, pp. 462–472. doi 10.1061/(ASCE)CF.1943-5509.000005

An explicit GIS-based river basin framework for aquatic ecosystem conservation in the Amazon

Despite large-scale infrastructure development, deforestation, mining and petroleum exploration in the Amazon Basin, relatively little attention has been paid to the management scale required for the protection of wetlands, fisheries and other aspects of aquatic ecosystems. This is due, in part, to the enormous size, multinational composition and interconnected nature of the Amazon River system, as well as to the absence of an adequate spatial model for integrating data across the entire Amazon Basin. In this data article we present a spatially uniform multi-scale GIS framework that was developed especially for the analysis, management and monitoring of various aspects of aquatic systems in the Amazon Basin. The Amazon GIS-Based River Basin Framework is accessible as an ESRI geodatabase at doi:10.5063/F1BG2KX8. © Author(s) 2016

Artículos publicados en el diario El País sobre Antonio Fernández Alba

Artículos publicados sobre Antonio Fernández Alba en el diario El Paí

Goliath catfish spawning in the far western Amazon confirmed by the distribution of mature adults, drifting larvae and migrating juveniles

We mapped the inferred long-distance migrations of four species of Amazonian goliath catfishes (Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii, B. platynemum, B. juruense and B. vaillantii) based on the presence of individuals with mature gonads and conducted statistical analysis of the expected long-distance downstream migrations of their larvae and juveniles. By linking the distribution of larval, juvenile and mature adult size classes across the Amazon, the results showed: (i) that the main spawning regions of these goliath catfish species are in the western Amazon; (ii) at least three species - B. rousseauxii, B. platynemum, and B. juruense - spawn partially or mainly as far upstream as the Andes; (iii) the main spawning area of B. rousseauxii is in or near the Andes; and (iv) the life history migration distances of B. rousseauxii are the longest strictly freshwater fish migrations in the world. These results provide an empirical baseline for tagging experiments, life histories extrapolated from otolith microchemistry interpretations and other methods to establish goliath catfish migratory routes, their seasonal timing and possible return (homing) to western headwater tributaries where they were born. © The Author(s) 2017

Effects of different doses of high-speed resistance training on physical performance and quality of life in older women: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of two frequencies of high-speed resistance training (HSRT) on physical performance and quality of life of older women. Methods: A total of 24 older women participated in a 12-week HSRT program composed of either two or three sessions/week (equated for volume and intensity). Women were randomized into three arms: a control group (CG, n=8), a resistance training group performing two sessions/week (RT2, n=8), and a resistance training group performing three sessions/week (RT3, n=8). The training program for both experimental groups included exercises that required high-speed concentric muscle actions. Results: No baseline differences were observed among groups. Compared with the CG, both training groups showed similar small to moderate improvements (P<0.05) in muscle strength, power, functional performance, balance, and quality of life. Conclusion: These results suggest that equated for volume and intensity, two and three training sessions/week of HSRT are equally effective for improving physical performance and quality of life of older women

Macrophages direct cancer cells through a LOXL2-mediated metastatic cascade in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

[Objective]: The lysyl oxidase-like protein 2 (LOXL2) contributes to tumour progression and metastasis in different tumour entities, but its role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has not been evaluated in immunocompetent in vivo PDAC models.[Design]: Towards this end, we used PDAC patient data sets, patient-derived xenograft in vivo and in vitro models, and four conditional genetically-engineered mouse models (GEMMS) to dissect the role of LOXL2 in PDAC. For GEMM-based studies, K-Ras +/LSL-G12D;Trp53 LSL-R172H;Pdx1-Cre mice (KPC) and the K-Ras +/LSL-G12D;Pdx1-Cre mice (KC) were crossed with Loxl2 allele floxed mice (Loxl2Exon2 fl/fl) or conditional Loxl2 overexpressing mice (R26Loxl2 KI/KI) to generate KPCL2KO or KCL2KO and KPCL2KI or KCL2KI mice, which were used to study overall survival; tumour incidence, burden and differentiation; metastases; epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT); stemness and extracellular collagen matrix (ECM) organisation.[Results]: Using these PDAC mouse models, we show that while Loxl2 ablation had little effect on primary tumour development and growth, its loss significantly decreased metastasis and increased overall survival. We attribute this effect to non-cell autonomous factors, primarily ECM remodelling. Loxl2 overexpression, on the other hand, promoted primary and metastatic tumour growth and decreased overall survival, which could be linked to increased EMT and stemness. We also identified tumour-associated macrophage-secreted oncostatin M (OSM) as an inducer of LOXL2 expression, and show that targeting macrophages in vivo affects Osm and Loxl2 expression and collagen fibre alignment.[Conclusion]: Taken together, our findings establish novel pathophysiological roles and functions for LOXL2 in PDAC, which could be potentially exploited to treat metastatic disease.JCL-G received support from a 'la Caixa' Foundation (ID 100010434) fellowship (LCF/BQ/DR21/11880011). This study was supported by ISCIII FIS grants PI18/00757 and PI21/01110 (BSJ) and PI18/00267 (LG-B), and grants from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Innovation SAF2016-76504-R (ACan and FP), PID2019-111052RB-I00 (FP), PID2019-104644RB-I00 (GM-B), a Ramón y Cajal Merit Award RYC-2012–12104 (BSJ) and ISCIII, CIBERONC, CB16/12/00446 (ACar) and CB16/12/00295 (ACan and GM-B), all of them co-financed through Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) 'Una manera de hacer Europa'; a Fero Foundation Grant (BSJ); a Coordinated grant (GC16173694BARB) from the Fundación Científica Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (FC-AECC) (BSJ); a Miguel Servet award (CP16/00121) (PS); a DFG, German Research Foundation Grant—Project no: 492 436 553 (KG); and a Max Eder Fellowship of the German Cancer Aid (111746) (PCH

The Fourteenth Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey: First Spectroscopic Data from the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey and from the second phase of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment

The fourth generation of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-IV) has been in operation since July 2014. This paper describes the second data release from this phase, and the fourteenth from SDSS overall (making this, Data Release Fourteen or DR14). This release makes public data taken by SDSS-IV in its first two years of operation (July 2014-2016). Like all previous SDSS releases, DR14 is cumulative, including the most recent reductions and calibrations of all data taken by SDSS since the first phase began operations in 2000. New in DR14 is the first public release of data from the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS); the first data from the second phase of the Apache Point Observatory (APO) Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE-2), including stellar parameter estimates from an innovative data driven machine learning algorithm known as "The Cannon"; and almost twice as many data cubes from the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at APO (MaNGA) survey as were in the previous release (N = 2812 in total). This paper describes the location and format of the publicly available data from SDSS-IV surveys. We provide references to the important technical papers describing how these data have been taken (both targeting and observation details) and processed for scientific use. The SDSS website (www.sdss.org) has been updated for this release, and provides links to data downloads, as well as tutorials and examples of data use. SDSS-IV is planning to continue to collect astronomical data until 2020, and will be followed by SDSS-V.Comment: SDSS-IV collaboration alphabetical author data release paper. DR14 happened on 31st July 2017. 19 pages, 5 figures. Accepted by ApJS on 28th Nov 2017 (this is the "post-print" and "post-proofs" version; minor corrections only from v1, and most of errors found in proofs corrected

Effectiveness of Fosfomycin for the Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Bacteremic Urinary Tract Infections

IMPORTANCE The consumption of broad-spectrum drugs has increased as a consequence of the spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli. Finding alternatives for these infections is critical, for which some neglected drugs may be an option. OBJECTIVE To determine whether fosfomycin is noninferior to ceftriaxone or meropenem in the targeted treatment of bacteremic urinary tract infections (bUTIs) due to MDR E coli. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This multicenter, randomized, pragmatic, open clinical trial was conducted at 22 Spanish hospitals from June 2014 to December 2018. Eligible participants were adult patients with bacteremic urinary tract infections due to MDR E coli; 161 of 1578 screened patients were randomized and followed up for 60 days. Data were analyzed in May 2021. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized 1 to 1 to receive intravenous fosfomycin disodium at 4 g every 6 hours (70 participants) or a comparator (ceftriaxone or meropenem if resistant; 73 participants) with the option to switch to oral fosfomycin trometamol for the fosfomycin group or an active oral drug or pa renteral ertapenem for the comparator group after 4 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was clinical and microbiological cure (CMC) 5 to 7 days after finalization of treatment; a noninferiority margin of 7% was considered. RESULTS Among 143 patients in the modified intention-to-treat population (median [IQR] age, 72 [62-81] years; 73 [51.0%] women), 48 of 70 patients (68.6%) treated with fosfomycin and 57 of 73 patients (78.1%) treated with comparators reached CMC (risk difference, -9.4 percentage points; 1-sided 95% CI, -21.5 to infinity percentage points; P = .10). While clinical or microbiological failure occurred among 10 patients (14.3%) treated with fosfomycin and 14 patients (19.7%) treated with comparators (risk difference, -5.4 percentage points; 1-sided 95% CI. -infinity to 4.9; percentage points; P = .19), an increased rate of adverse event-related discontinuations occurred with fosfomycin vs comparators (6 discontinuations [8.5%] vs 0 discontinuations; P = .006). In an exploratory analysis among a subset of 38 patients who underwent rectal colonization studies, patients treated with fosfomycin acquired a new ceftriaxone-resistant or meropenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria at a decreased rate compared with patients treated with comparators (0 of 21 patients vs 4 of 17 patients [23.5%]; 1-sided P = .01). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study found that fosfomycin did not demonstrate noninferiority to comparators as targeted treatment of bUTI from MDR E coli; this was due to an increased rate of adverse event-related discontinuations. This finding suggests that fosfomycin may be considered for selected patients with these infections