Advanced Nanocellulose-Based Materials: Production, Properties and Applications

publishe

The role of ionic liquids in the pharmaceutical field: an overview of relevant applications

Solubility, bioavailability, permeation, polymorphism, and stability concerns associated to solid-state pharmaceuticals demand for effective solutions. To overcome some of these drawbacks, ionic liquids (ILs) have been investigated as solvents, reagents, and anti-solvents in the synthesis and crystallization of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), as solvents, co-solvents and emulsifiers in drug formulations, as pharmaceuticals (API-ILs) aiming liquid therapeutics, and in the development and/or improvement of drug-delivery-based systems. The present review focuses on the use of ILs in the pharmaceutical field, covering their multiple applications from pharmaceutical synthesis to drug delivery. The most relevant research conducted up to date is presented and discussed, together with a critical analysis of the most significant IL-based strategies in order to improve the performance of therapeutics and drug delivery systems.publishe

Study of genetic common variation shared between schizophrenia and severe COVID-19

Traballo Fin de Grao en Medicina. Curso 2020-2021La COVID-19 es una nueva enfermedad causada por un virus de ARN llamado SARS-CoV-2, cuya gravedad varía desde casos asintomáticos, pasando por otros que requieren cuidados intensivos hasta incluso la muerte. Entre los factores de riesgo relacionados con su severidad destacan la edad avanzada o las enfermedades cardiovasculares y respiratorias. La esquizofrenia es un trastorno mental que causa un profundo impacto en el individuo y en la sociedad. Además, estos pacientes tienen una menor esperanza de vida que la población general debido, sobre todo, a la mayor prevalencia de enfermedades cardiovasculares. Se ha observado que tienen más riesgo de desarrollar COVID-19 grave. Investigaciones recientes parecen demostrar una relación entre factores genéticos y el riesgo a desarrollar una mayor gravedad de la nueva enfermedad. En este trabajo se pretende estudiar la hipótesis de una variación genética común compartida entre la esquizofrenia y la COVID-19 grave como explicación a la mayor prevalencia de la infección en pacientes con el trastorno mental. Como alternativa, ésta se puede deber a otros factores de riesgo no genéticos compartidos, como podrían ser los factores de riesgo cardiovascular. Para ello, se plantea un estudio de estima de riesgos poligénicos o PRS (del inglés, polygenic risk score), utilizando como muestra descubrimiento el GWAS (del inglés, genome-wide association study) más grande hasta la fecha de gravedad por COVID-19 y como muestra diana, 505 casos de esquizofrenia y 736 controles del Área Sanitaria de Santiago de CompostelaA COVID-19 é unha nova enfermidade causada por un virus de ARN chamado SARS-CoV-2, cuxa gravidade varía dende casos asintomáticos, pasando por outros que requiren coidados intensivos ata incluso a morte. Entre os factores de risco relacionados coa súa severidade destacan a idade avanzada ou as enfermidades cardiovasculares e respiratorias. A esquizofrenia é un trastorno mental que causa un profundo impacto no individuo e na sociedade. Ademais, estes pacientes teñen unha menor esperanza de vida que a poboación xeral debido, sobre todo, á maior prevalencia de enfermidades cardiovasculares. Observouse que teñen máis risco de desenvolver COVID-19 grave. Investigacións recentes parecen demostrar unha relación entre factores xenéticos e o risco de desenvolver unha maior gravidade da nova enfermidade. Neste traballo preténdese estudar a hipótese dunha variación xenética común compartida entre a esquizofrenia e a COVID-19 grave como explicación á maior prevalencia da infección en pacientes co trastorno mental. Como alternativa, esta pódese deber a outros factores de risco non xenéticos compartidos, como poderían ser os factores de risco cardiovascular. Para iso, propónse un estudo de estima de riscos polixénicos ou PRS (do inglés, polygenic risk score), utilizando como mostra descubrimento o GWAS (do inglés, genome-wide association study) máis grande ata a data de gravidade por COVID-19 e como mostra diana, 505 casos de esquizofrenia e 736 controis da Área Sanitaria de Santiago de CompostelaCOVID-19 is a new disease caused by an RNA virus called SARS-CoV-2, whose severity goes from people with no symptoms through others who require intensive care to even death. We know some risk factors associated to its severity such as advanced age or cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that causes a deeply impact on the individual and society. Moreover, these patients have less life expectancy than the general population because of a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease. It has been analyzed that patients with schizophrenia have an increased risk of suffering severe COVID-19. Recent investigations suggest a relationship between genetic factors and the risk of developing a severe disease. In this study, we pretend to evaluate the hypothesis of a common genetic variation shared between schizophrenia and severe COVID-19 as an explanation of the higher prevalence of the infection in patients with this mental disorder. An alternative hypothesis is that it can be due to other non-genetic factors shared between both diseases such as cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, a study of estimation polygenic risk score (PRS) is proposed, using as a discovery sample, the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) to date of severe COVID-19 and as a target sample, 505 cases of patients with schizophrenia and 736 controls of Santiago de Compostela’s sanitary are

Biochemical Validation of a Self-Administered Food Frequency Questionnaire to Assess Diet Using Carotenoids and Vitamins E and D in Male Adolescents in Spain

Reliable tools to evaluate diet are needed, particularly in life periods such as adolescence in which a rapid rate of growth and development occurs. We assessed the biochemical validity of a self-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in a sample of Spanish male adolescents using carotenoids and vitamin E and D data. We analyzed data from 122 male adolescents aged 15–17 years of the INMA-Granada birth cohort study. Adolescents answered a 104-item FFQ and provided a non-fasting blood sample. Mean daily nutrient intakes and serum concentration were estimated for main carotenoids (lutein-zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, α-carotene and β-carotene), vitamins E and D and also for fruit and vegetable intake. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) and the percentage of agreement (same or adjacent quintiles) between serum vitamin concentrations and energy-adjusted intakes were estimated. Statistically significant correlation coefficients were observed for the total carotenoids (r = 0.40) and specific carotenoids, with the highest correlation observed for lutein–zeaxanthin (r = 0.42) and the lowest for β-carotene (0.23). The correlation coefficient between fruit and vegetable intake and serum carotenoids was 0.29 (higher for vegetable intake, r = 0.33 than for fruit intake, r = 0.19). Low correlations were observed for vitamin E and D. The average percentage of agreement for carotenoids was 55.8%, and lower for vitamin E and D (50% and 41%, respectively). The FFQ may be an acceptable tool for dietary assessment among male adolescents in Spain.Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII)Spanish Ministry of Health (FIS 07/0314; PI11/01007)“Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional” (ISCIII/FEDER) for the Miguel Servet Type I Program granted to C. Freire (grant no. CP16/00085)“Instituto de Salud Carlos III/Agencia Estatal de Investigación”, grant number PI18/00825 Project: Dieta y actividad física en embarazo y tras el nacimiento y longitud del telómero en niños y adolescentes: Proyecto TeloDiPA”Unión Europea (FEDER) “Una manera de hacer Europa

Enantioselective Synthesis of Succinimides by Michael Addition of Aldehydes to Maleimides Organocatalyzed by Chiral Primary Amine-Guanidines

The monoguanylation of (1S,2S)- and (1R,2R)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine affords chiral primary amine-guanidines that are used as chiral organocatalysts in the enantioselective Michael addition of aldehydes, particularly α,α-disubstituted aldehydes, to maleimides. The reaction is carried out in the presence of imidazole, as an additive, in aqueous N,N-dimethylformamide, as the solvent, and affords the corresponding enantioenriched succinimides in high or quantitative yields with enantioselectivities up to 96 % ee. Theoretical calculations (DFT and M06–2X) suggest a different hydrogen-bonding coordination pattern between the maleimide (C=O) and the catalyst (NH groups) is responsible for the enantioinduction switch that is observed when the reaction is carried out using primary amine-guanidines versus primary amine-thioureas as the organocatalysts.The authors thank the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MEC) (projects CTQ2010-20387, CTQ2010-21263-C02, and Consolider Ingenio 2010, CSD2007-00006), the Fondos Europeos para el Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), the COST Action CM0905 “Organocatalysis”, the Generalitat Valenciana (Prometeo/2009/039), the Basque Government (GV grant IT-291-07), the University of Alicante, and the University of the Basque Country for the financial support

Interannual variability of the diversity and structure of ichthyoplankton assemblages in the central Mexican Pacific

[Abstract] We examined larval fish diversity and assemblage structure on the central Mexican Pacific (coast of Jalisco and Colima) using data from samplings carried out with a Bongo net at 12 stations during 27 months, from December 1995 through December 1998. A total of 132 taxa were recorded, and the dominant species were Bregmaceros bathymaster (90% of the total abundance), Dormitator latifrons (1.9%) and Harengula thrissina (0.8%). Only B. bathymaster, D. latifrons and Gobionellus sp. attained the 100 % of occurrence. The effects of the 1997-98 El Niño event in ichthyoplankton diversity were significant, however the prevalence of the normal seasonality could be observed. Diversity null models were used to determine structural changes in the assemblage due to El Niño effects; both species richness and evenness were highest during El Niño. The most parsimonious models of assemblage organization include the El Niño and seasonality as most significant environmental variability sources. The small-scale spatial variability expressed as the cross-shore gradient was not relevant. The dominant species group formed by B. bathymaster, D. latifrons, and Vinciguerria lucetia typify for similarity both the previous and El Niño period and the only change was the abundance difference among periods. The El Niño period was typified by the dominant species Bentosema panamense and H. thrissina, and by the rare species Euthynus lineatus, and species of the genus Lujtanus. The assemblage shows a similar organization in the different seasons, sharing the same dominant species group. Seasonality produces only changes in the abundances and relative frequencies of dominant species and different rare species are characteristic of the different seasons. The average taxonomical distinctness, that could be considered as a measure of functional diversity, was highly sensitive to the seasonal change of the assemblages independently of the El Niño; this index showed lowest values during tropical and transition periods characterized by warm and oligotrophic water

Sexual double standard: A gender-based prejudice referring to sexual freedom and sexual shyness

The sexual double standard (SDS) consists of judging men and women differently for the same sexual behavior. This study contributes to research on the factors that determine inconsistent adherence to the SDS. It uses a descriptive methodology to analyze the association between individual and contextual factors both with adherence to the SDS, and with four SDS adherence typologies (man-favorable SDS, woman-favorable SDS, egalitarian and ambivalent). A total of 1,206 heterosexual Spanish adults (603 men and 603 women) participated. The mean age in the male sample was 41.7 (SD = 14.25), in the female sample M = 40.84 (SD = 14.24). The results show that the conceptualization of SDS as a gender-based prejudice is valid to understand the bias of ingroup favoritism that SDS implies: adherence to SDS is more related to the identity of the gender role of men (vs. women). In addition, evidence is provided that the normative context and domain of sexual behavior (i.e., sexual freedom or sexual shyness) determine the form that SDS adopts to express itself. The domain of behaviors related to sexual shyness (vs. domain related to sexual freedom) better discriminates between the different four SDS adherence typologies. The importance of adopting different levels of analysis (i.e., individual, intergroup, societal) to explain and predict both SDS adherence and the prevalence of SDS adherence typologies is discussed.Spanish Government PSI2014-25035-R FPU16/04429 B13 56 1 RD 99/201

Modelo de gestión para controlar el riesgo de crédito en la Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Riobamba Ltda., agencia La Condamine, de la ciudad de Riobamba, provincia de Chimborazo, periodo 2015-2016

El presente trabajo de investigación es un Modelo de Gestión para controlar el Riesgo de Crédito en la Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Riobamba Ltda., Agencia la Condamine, de la ciudad de Riobamba, provincia de Chimborazo, con la finalidad de mejorar las políticas de resguardo financiero que permitan minimizar o impedir posible morosidad e incobrabilidad de los créditos. Para el desarrollo del Modelo de Gestión se realizó un estudio situacional de la institución mediante la gestión sobre de crédito, gestión sobre estándar de tiempo para la otorgación del crédito, gestión del riesgo en los créditos, gestión sobre la morosidad, gestión sobre la cobranza, gestión gerencial, gestión sobre el recurso humano entorno al crédito, gestión sobre el sistema informático. Los resultados de la investigación confirman que la Cooperativa no cuenta con herramientas técnicas de gestión sobre riesgos de créditos, situación que la hace lenta en la colocación de recursos financieros en su segmento de mercado. Podemos concluir que el diagnostico situacional realizado a la Agencia permitió identificar que está expuesta a todos los tipos de riesgos mencionados en el marco teórico, sin embargo el riesgo de crédito es el más común en el sistema cooperativo. Para ello es recomendable el empleo del modelo de gestión que implique el correcto proceso en la aprobación, administración y recuperación de créditos.The present investigation is a Management Model. It was designed to control the credit risk for Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Riobamba Ltda., at La Condamine bank branch in the city of Riobamba, Chimborazo province to improve its financial policies so that late payments can be diminished or avolded. The credit, credit granting, credit risk, late payment, collection, management, credit related human resource and computer system management processes were used to study the credit union status. The investigation results demonstrate the credit union does not have technical management tools for credit risks. That is why, it is not accurate when granting loans. It is concluded that this credit union is exposed to all the risks described in the theoretical framework, the credit risk is the most common in the operating system though. It is recommended to implement the management model to have a proper granting, management and collection process

Enhanced conversion of xylan into furfural using acidic deep eutectic solvents with dual solvent and catalyst behavior

An efficient process for the production of furfural from xylan by using acidic deep eutectic solvents (DESs), which act both as solvents and catalysts, is developed. DESs composed of cholinium chloride ([Ch]Cl) and malic acid or glycolic acid at different molar ratios, and the effects of water and γ-valerolactone (GVL) contents, solid/liquid (S/L) ratio, and microwave heating are investigated. The best furfural yields are obtained with the DES [Ch]Cl:malic acid (1:3 molar ratio)+5 wt % water, under microwave heating for 2.5 min at 150 °C, a S/L ratio of 0.050, and GVL at a weight ratio of 2:1. Under these conditions, a remarkable furfural yield (75 %) is obtained. Direct distillation of furfural from the DES/GVL solvent and distillation from 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF) after a back-extraction step enable 89 % furfural recovery from 2-MeTHF. This strategy allows recycling of the DES/GVL for at least three times with only small losses in furfural yield (>69 %). This is the fastest and highest-yielding process reported for furfural production using bio-based DESs as solvents and catalysts, paving the way for scale-up of the process.publishe

Extraction of vanillin using ionic-liquid-based aqueous two-phase systems

To explore proper extractive solvents and to design an optimized separation process it is highly imperative to understand the molecular-based phenomena governing the solutes partitioning. Moreover, the development of new techniques for the biomolecules separation and purification, while maintaining their functional characteristics unchanged, is still ongoing. Therefore, in this work, the partition coefficients of vanillin, a compound with well-known organoleptic properties, were determined using improved ionic-liquid-based aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS). Three main parameters were evaluated through the vanillin partitioning process: the ionic liquid (IL) cation and anion structure, the temperature of equilibrium and the available concentration of vanillin in the global system. In all systems and conditions tested, vanillin preferentially migrates for the IL-rich phase. In addition, the three studied parameters largely influence the vanillin partitioning. In an attempt to elucidate the thermodynamics of the partitioning process, the standard molar thermodynamic functions of transfer of vanillin were also determined based on the temperature dependence data. These data indicate that the partition of vanillin results from an interplay between enthalpic and entropic contributions where both the IL anion and more complex cations play an essential role. Moreover, viscosities and densities of both aqueous phases were experimentally measured at the mass fraction compositions for which the partition coefficients were determined. The results gathered in this work indicate that IL-based ATPS can be further employed in the extraction and purification of vanillin from different matrices, as confirmed by the large partition coefficients obtained and improved low viscosity systems. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.BIIPP projec - QREN 11551FCT - SFRH/BPD/41781/200