“Es fundamental que la información que se transmita sea confiable”

El flamante Doctor Honoris Causa de la UNLP, Emilio Luque Fadón, de la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, fue uno de los conferencistas de CACIC 2017. Durante su estadía por la ciudad de La Plata, el español habló acerca de las nuevas tecnologías, su tolerancia a los fallos y el consumo energético.Facultad de Informátic

Preliminary study of the mechanical and hygrothermal performance of concrete reinforced with nanofibrillated cellulose

Cement, being the most widely used building material, is the responsible for a large share of greenhouse gas emissions. To reduce the environmental impact of its production, natural fibres can be used as eco-friendly additives. Moreover, their potential use in traditional lime-based mortars makes them an ideal choice for green building as well as for the retrofit of historical buildings. An innovative cementitious composite reinforced with micro and/or nanofibrillated cellulose (hereafter called bioconcrete) was tested to assess its mechanical and physical properties. Samples were casted using Portland cement and Natural Hydraulic lime and varying the ratios among the constituents. Viscosity and setting time of the fresh pastes were determined with a Viscosimeter and a Vicat apparatus, while their hydration was studied by thermal analysis. The influence of the fibres on the flexural strength of the final composite was determined through mechanical tests. Preliminary analyses showed that fibres can promote the binder hydration, though at higher percentages they can negatively affect the workability/setting time of the fresh pastes and the flexural strength of the bioconcrete. The hygrothermal properties of the bioconcrete will be determined through an experimental campaign planned in 2021. The expected performance of thebioconcrete will be studied through dynamic hygrothermal simulations using the software IDA ICE (Indoor Climate and Energy) extended with the HMWall (Heat and Moisture) model. Since the reliability of the simulation results depends on the accuracy of the parameters used, it is pivotal to limit themain uncertainties of the upcoming hygrothermal measurements. Asensitivity analysis,based on the hygrothermal data of similar natural-based building materials available in literature, was conductedto identify the hygrothermal parameters influencing more the simulation of temperature and moisture gradients across a single layer of the bioconcrete

Dangerous liaison: organochlorine substances, energy metabolism and cancer

none10nononeCarissimi S; Chichiarelli S; Marrocco I; Altieri F; Romaniello D; Giamogante F; Francioso A; Cocchiola R; D’Erme M; Eufemi M.Carissimi S; Chichiarelli S; Marrocco I; Altieri F; Romaniello D; Giamogante F; Francioso A; Cocchiola R; D’Erme M; Eufemi M

Neutrophil Elastase-mediated proteolysis activates the antiinflammatory cytokine IL-36 Receptor antagonist

The interleukin-36 receptor antagonist (IL-36Ra) which regulates IL-36α, -β and -γ is linked to psoriatic inflammation, especially loss-of-function mutations in pustular psoriasis subtypes. As observed with other IL-1 superfamily proteins, the IL-36 members require N-terminal cleavage for full biological activity but the mechanisms of IL-36Ra activation remain poorly defined. Using different blood leukocyte and skin resident cell preparations, and recombinant proteins, we have identified that neutrophil elastase, but not other neutrophil derived proteases, cleaves IL-36Ra into its highly active antagonistic form. The activity of this processed form of IL-36Ra was confirmed in human primary dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes and in skin equivalents. A significant dose dependent reduction of IL-36γ induced IL-8 and chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) levels were detected following addition of the cleaved IL-36Ra compared to full length IL-36Ra. By activating IL-36Ra, the neutrophil derived protease can inhibit IL-36 induced chemokine production, including IL-8 and CCL20, and reduce further inflammatory cell infiltration. These findings strongly indicate neutrophil elastase to be a key enzyme in the biological function of IL-36Ra and that neutrophils can play a regulatory role in psoriatic inflammation with regard to balancing the pro-inflammatory activity of IL-36