Mechanical performance of gelatin fiber mesh scaffolds reinforced with nano-hydroxyapatite under bone damage mechanisms

Engineered tissues scaffolds should be design to mimic, at least partially, the extracellular matrix (ECM) in native tissues. Our scaffold's design satisfies, important challenges among the implant architecture requirements: (i) a fiber mesh entanglement mimicking physical attributes of natural ECM; (ii) a nanostructure surface roughness and chemical cues to increase the interaction with host tissue; (iii) a hydrolytic and enzymatic biodegradability; (iv) an open interconnected macroporosity to promote highly permeability and (v) a tensile stability under mechanical damage mechanisms. These properties are very important for cell seeding, adhesion, vascularization, new ECM formation and the subsequent tissue regeneration.Fil: Sartuqui, Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; ArgentinaFil: D'elía, Noelia Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Ercoli, Daniel Ricardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: De Alcazar, Daniel Sánchez. CIC BiomaGUNE; EspañaFil: Cortajarena, Aitziber L.. CIC BiomaGUNE; EspañaFil: Messina, Paula Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; Argentin

Health risks and recommendations on handling nanoparticles at workplaces

Artículos especiales[ES] El incremento de la producción de nanomateriales en estos últimos años ha originado la aparición de patologías, frecuentemente pulmonares, asociadas a la exposición a nanopartículas (NPs), ya sean liberadas de forma natural o en procesos industriales. Estas pueden penetrar sobre todo por el sistema respiratorio y depositarse en los alvéolos, difundiéndose a través del sistema circulatorio hasta alcanzar diversos órganos, induciendo enfermedades. El principal mecanismo involucrado en la aparición de patología está relacionado con la producción de radicales libres e interferencia de las NPs con el metabolismo celular. Es necesario desarrollar mayor número de estudios orientados a determinar posibles efectos nocivos sobre la salud y herramientas que permitan establecer valores límites fiables, tanto para las exposiciones laborales como para la población general. Actualmente se utilizan modelos simplificados de evaluación cualitativa para evaluación de riegos, tanto inespecíficos para nanomateriales (ConsExpo) como específicos (herramientas de control banding). Las recomendaciones y medidas preventivas establecidas para la manipulación y gestión de residuos de sustancias químicas, humos y aerosoles, se presentan útiles en el manejo de nanopartículas.[EN] The increasing production of nanomaterials in recent years has led to the appearance of pathologies, often lung diseases, associated with the exposure to nanoparticles (NPs), released naturally or during industrial processes. These ones can penetrate the respiratory system and deposit in the alveoli. Thus they spread through the circulatory system and reach various organs, inducing diseases. The main mechanism involved in the pathology appearance is related to the production of free radicals and interference of NPs with cell metabolism. It is necessary to develop more studies aimed to determine possible adverse health effects as well as tools for establishing reliable limit’s values for both occupational and general population exposure. Currently, simplified models of qualitative risk evaluation are used, both non-specific for nanomaterials (ConsExpo) as well as specific (control banding tools). The recommendations and preventive measures established for handling and managing chemical waste, fumes, aerosols and sprays, appear to be helpful in handling nanoparticles.N

Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (M-WCST): Normative data for Spanish-speaking pediatric population

OBJECTIVE: To generate normative data for the Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (M-WCST) in Spanish-speaking pediatric populations. METHOD: The sample consisted of 4,373 healthy children from nine countries in Latin America (Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Puerto Rico) and Spain. Each participant was administered the M-WCST as part of a larger neuropsychological battery. Number of categories, perseverative errors, and total error scores were normed using multiple linear regressions and standard deviations of residual values. Age, age 2, sex, and mean level of parental education (MLPE) were included as predictors in the analyses. RESULTS: The final multiple linear regression models indicated main effects for age on all scores, such that the number of categories correct increased and total number of perseverative errors and total number of errors decrease linearly as a function of age. Age 2 had a significant effect in Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, and Spain for numbers of categories; a significant effect for number of perseverative errors in Chile, Cuba, Mexico, and Spain; and a significant effect for number of total errors in Chile, Cuba, Peru, and Spain. Models showed an effect for MLPE in Cuba (total errors), Ecuador (categories and total errors), Mexico (all scores), Paraguay (perseverative errors and total error), and Spain (categories and total errors). Sex affected number of total errors for Ecuador. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest Spanish-speaking pediatric normative study in the world, and it will allow neuropsychologists from these countries to have a more accurate way to interpret the M-WCST with pediatric populations. © 2017 - IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved.Trabajo de investigació