Systemic profiles of micrornas, redox balance, and inflammation in lung cancer patients : influence of copd

Altres ajuts: This study has been supported by Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Sociedad Española de Neumología y Cirugía Torácica (SEPAR) 2018 & 2020.Lung cancer (LC) risk increases in patients with chronic respiratory diseases (COPD). MicroRNAs and redox imbalance are involved in lung tumorigenesis in COPD patients. Whether systemic alterations of those events may also take place in LC patients remains unknown. Our objectives were to assess the plasma levels of microRNAs, redox balance, and cytokines in LC patients with/without COPD. MicroRNAs (RT-PCR) involved in LC, oxidized DNA, MDA-protein adducts, GSH, TEAC, VEGF, and TGF-beta (ELISA) were quantified in plasma samples from non-LC controls (n = 45), LC-only patients (n = 32), and LC-COPD patients (n = 91). In LC-COPD patients compared to controls and LC-only, MDA-protein adduct levels increased, while those of GSH decreased, and two patterns of plasma microRNA were detected. In both LC patient groups, miR-451 expression was downregulated, while those of microRNA-let7c were upregulated, and levels of TEAC and TGF-beta increased compared to the controls. Correlations were found between clinical and biological variables. A differential expression profile of microRNAs was detected in patients with LC. Moreover, in LC patients with COPD, plasma oxidative stress levels increased, whereas those of GSH declined. Systemic oxidative and antioxidant markers are differentially expressed in LC patients with respiratory diseases, thus implying its contribution to the pathogenesis of tumorigenesis in these patients

Guefoams (guest-containing foams) as novel heterogeneous catalysts: preparation, characterization and proof-of-concept testing for CO2 methanation

The preparation and use of Guefoams as heterogeneous catalyst is reported. The Guefoam catalyst consists of an open-pore Al-Si foam that accommodates a freely mobile guest phase (Ni/CeO2/Al2O3 particles) in its cavities, with neither a physical nor a chemical matrix-guest bond. A eutectic Al-12Si alloy was used as a low-melting matrix precursor to prevent thermal sintering of the active phase during liquid metal infiltration. CO2 methanation was chosen as the reaction test. The activity and CH4 selectivity (close to 100%) achieved with the Guefoam catalyst were similar to those obtained with a packed bed of the same active phase particles, but with the advantages of a structured reactor such as robustness and ease of handling. The thermal conductivity of the Guefoam catalyst is significantly improved with regard to the packed bed of active phase particles, which reduces the temperature gradients in the catalytic reactor, as demonstrated by computational fluid dynamic modelling. Since the permeability of the Guefoam catalyst is 2.7 times that of the packed bed, the pressure drop caused by the passage of a fluid through the novel material is reduced, resulting in a significantly higher catalytic performance index than the packed bed.Financial support from the Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the European Union (FEDER and NextGenerationEU funds) [projects MAT2016-77742-C2-2-P, PDC2021-121617-C21 and CTQ2015-67597-C2-2-R] and the Conselleria d'Innovació, Universitats, Ciència, i Societat Digital of the Generalitat Valenciana [projects GVA-COVID19/2021/097 and PROMETEO/2018/076, PhD grant of C.Y. Chaparro GRISOLIAP/2017/177 and contract of E. Bailón APOSTD/2019/030]. L.P. Maiorano also acknowledges the financial support from the University of Alicante through grant “Programa Propio para el fomento de la I+D+I del Vicerrectorado de Investigación y Transferencia de Conocimiento” (UAFPU2019-33)

Epidemiology of invasive candidiasis in a surgical intensive care unit: an observational study

Background: Invasive candidiasis (IC) is a frequent and life-threatening infection in critically ill patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of IC and the antifungal susceptibility of etiological agents in patients admitted to our surgical intensive care unit (SICU) in Spain. Methods: We designed a prospective, observational, single center, population-based study in a SICU. We included all consecutive adult patients (≥18 years old) who had documented IC, either on admission or during their stay, between January 2012 and December 2013. Results: There were a total of 22 episodes of IC in the 1149 patients admitted during the 24-month study. The overall IC incidence was 19.1 cases per 1000 admissions. Thirteen cases of IC (59.1 %) were intra-abdominal candidiasis (IAC) and 9 (40.9 %) were candidemias. All cases of IAC were patients with secondary peritonitis and severe sepsis or septic shock. The overall crude mortality rate was 13.6 %; while, it was 33 % in patients with candidemia. All patients with IAC survived, including one patient with concomitant candidemia. The most common species causing IC was Candida albicans (13; 59.1 %) followed by Candida parapsilosis (5; 22.7 %), and Candida glabrata (2; 9.1 %). There was also one case each (4.5 %) of Candida krusei and Candida tropicalis. Thus, the ratio of non-C. albicans (9) to C. albicans (13) was 1:1.4. There was resistance to fluconazole and itraconazole in 13.6 % of cases. Resistance to other antifungals was uncommon. Conclusions: Candida parapsilosis was the second most common species after C. albicans, indicating the high prevalence of non-C. albicans species in the SICU. Resistance to azoles, particularly fluconazole, should be considered when starting an empirical treatment. Although IAC is a very frequent form of IC in critically ill surgical patients, prompt antifungal therapy and adequate source control appears to lead to a good outcome. However, our results are closely related to our ICU and any generalization must be taken with caution. Therefore, further investigations are needed. Keywords: Intensive care unit, Invasive candidiasis, Candidemia, Antifungal susceptibilit

A Large Multicenter Prospective Study of Community-Onset Healthcare Associated Bacteremic Urinary Tract Infections in the Era of Multidrug Resistance: Even Worse than Hospital Acquired Infections?

Introduction: Healthcare-associated (HCA) infections represent a growing public health problem. The aim of this study was to compare community-onset healthcare associated (CO-HCA) bacteremic urinary tract infections (BUTI) and hospital-acquired (HA)-BUTI with special focus on multidrug resistances (MDR) and outcomes. Methods: ITUBRAS-project is a prospective multicenter cohort study of patients with HCA-BUTI. All consecutive hospitalized adult patients with CO-HCA-BUTI or HA-BUTI episode were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were: patients < 18 years old, non-hospitalized patients, bacteremia from another source or primary bacteremia, non-healthcare-related infections and infections caused by unusual pathogens of the urinary tract. The main outcome variable was 30-day all-cause mortality with day 1 as the first day of positive blood culture. Logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with clinical cure at hospital discharge and with receiving inappropriate initial antibiotic treatment. Cox regression was used to evaluate 30-day all-cause mortality. Results: Four hundred forty-three episodes were included, 223 CO-HCA-BUTI. Patients with CO-HCA-BUTI were older (p < 0.001) and had more underlying diseases (p = 0.029) than those with HA-BUTI. The severity of the acute illness (Pitt score) was also higher in CO-HCA-BUTI (p = 0.026). Overall, a very high rate of MDR profiles (271/443, 61.2%) was observed, with no statistical differences between groups. In multivariable analysis, inadequate empirical treatment was associated with MDR profile (aOR 3.35; 95% CI 1.77–6.35), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (aOR 2.86; 95% CI 1.27–6.44) and Charlson index (aOR 1.11; 95% CI 1.01–1.23). Mortality was not associated with the site of acquisition of the infection or the presence of MDR profile. However, in the logistic regression analyses patients with CO-HCA-BUTI (aOR 0.61; 95% CI 0.40–0.93) were less likely to present clinical cure. Conclusion: The rate of MDR infections was worryingly high in our study. No differences in MDR rates were found between CO-HCA-BUTI and HA-BUTI, in the probability of receiving inappropriate empirical treatment or in 30-day mortality. However, CO-HCA-BUTIs were associated with worse clinical cure. © 2021, The Author(s)

Sobre el diseño y las exposiciones en la Sala Hall

Puyuelo Cazorla, M.; Pastor Castillo, FJ. (2021). Sobre el diseño y las exposiciones en la Sala Hall. En Todo sobre diseño/All about design. Una década de exposiciones de diseño en la Sala Hall/ A decade of design exhibitions in the Hall. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/16668

Estudi de la seguretat viària de la carretera CV-610 entre el P.K. 16+700 (T.M. de Llutxent) i el P.K. 19+700 (T.M. de Benicolet), a la província de València.

[ES] DESCRIPCIÓN: La motivación de este trabajo se da por haber realizado prácticas extracurriculares en la UTE Ocide-Aceinsa, encargada de la conservación y explotación de las carreteras pertenecientes al sector V-2 de la Comunidad Valenciana. Este sector comprende la autovía A-3 pp.kk. 247+195 al 352+050, la autovía V-11 pp.kk. 0+000 al 1+650, la carretera nacional N-III pp.kk. 235+550 al 275+450 y la carretera nacional N-220 pp.kk. 0+000 al 2+050. El objeto del trabajo es analizar la seguridad vial de un tramo de tres kilómetros de la carretera CV-610, en concreto, el tramo que conecta los municipios de Llutxent y Benicolet. Con el estudio de seguridad vial se comprobará si dicho tramo cumple con las disposiciones que se exigen en la normativa vigente y si no lo hacen, se propondrán mejoras para que se ajusten a ella. Antes de realizar el análisis de seguridad vial se detallará la información de su estado actual; es importante conocer la geología y geotecnia, la hidrología y el entorno medioambiental de la zona. También se estudiará la intensidad de tráfico y el nivel de servicio de la carretera, así como el estado del firme. ALCANCE: Como se ha indicado, en el trabajo se analizará la seguridad vial de un tramo de la carretera CV-610 y, en función del resultado, se planteará una propuesta de mejora detallándose su implantación y se realizará también una valoración económica. Para realizar este trabajo se recurrirá al software CIVIL 3D. OBJETIVOS: Los objetivos de este TFG son básicamente reunir en un único trabajo los aprendizajes de varias asignaturas del Grado, con el fin de dar un enfoque global a un problema cercano a la realidad. PROPUESTA DE ÍNDICE: 1. Introducción y Objeto de estudio 2. Situación y emplazamiento 3. Estado actual 3.1. Geología y geotecnia 3.2. Hidrología y drenaje 3.3. Medioambiente 3.4. Trafico 3.5. Estado del firme 4. Análisis de seguridad vial 4.1. Diseño geométrico y consistencia 4.2. Señalización horizontal, vertical y balizamiento 4.3. Márgenes y sistemas de contención 4.4. Siniestralidad 4.5. Análisis de visibilidad 5. Propuestas de mejora 6. Mejora adoptada 7. Valoración económica 8. Conclusiones 9. Bibliografía y referencias Anexo: Planos PLAN DE TRABAJO: ¿ Descripción del Estado actual: 1 semana. ¿ Análisis geotécnico, medioambiental y del tráfico: 2 semanas. ¿ Análisis de seguridad vial: 1 semana. ¿ Propuesta de soluciones: 2 semanas. ¿ Valoración económica: 1 semana. ¿ Elaboración de planos: 1 semana. MATERIAS RELACIONADAS: Este TFG está principalmente relacionado con la asignatura Infraestructuras Viarias y la asignatura Building Information Modelling (BIM). En menor medida también guarda relación con asignaturas como Hidráulica e Hidrología, Ciencia e Impacto Ambiental de la Ingeniería Civil, Taller de Práctica Profesional, Procedimientos de Construcción, Geología aplicada a la Ingeniería Civil y Geotecnia y Cimientos.Tormo Jordá, E. (2023). Estudio de seguridad vial de la carretera CV-610 entre el P.K. 16+700 (T.M. de Llutxent) y el P.K. 19+700 (T.M. de Benicolet), en la provincia de Valencia. Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/19294

Fauna y bioestratigrafía del yacimiento aragoniense de Montejo de la Vega de la Serrezuela (Segovia)

The macro and micromammal fossils of Montejo de la Vega de la Serrezuela (Segovia, Spain) are studied. The identified taxons allow to place the new locality in the Middle Aragonian, unit MN5 of Mein (1977, 1979, 1990). The Montejo de la Vega deposit can be correlated with the Arroyo del Olivar in the Madrid basin and the Las Planas 4A, 4B, y 4C in the Calatayud-Teruel basin.Se estudian los macro y micromamíferos fósiles de Montejo de la Vega de la Serrezuela (Segovia). Los taxones identificados permiten situar esta localidad en el Aragoniense medio, unidad MN5 de Mein (1977, 1979, 1990). El yacimiento de Montejo de la Vega puede correlacionarse con el de Arroyo del Olivar, en la cuenca de Madrid y con los de Las Planas 4A, 4B y 4C en la Cuenca de Calatayud-Teruel.La prospección de 1995 fue financiada por la Dirección General de Patrimonio y Promoción Cultural de la Junta de Castilla y León dentro del Proyecto de Investigación VP-02/95. La aportación de I. Armenteros se enmarca en el Proyecto PB-950116-C02-02.Peer reviewe

Investigación-acción-participativa aplicada a la definición del perfil profesional de la figura del gastrónomo o gastrónoma

La titulación del Grado de Gastronomía y Artes Culinarias de la Facultad de Ciencias es de reciente implantación en la Universidad de Alicante. Este trabajo se enfoca en la definición del perfil profesional de la figura gastrónomo o gastrónoma y la orientación laboral del alumnado con el fin de incrementar sus posibilidades de inserción laboral. Se realiza una investigación exploratoria y descriptiva, con enfoque de Investigación-Acción-Participativa, que asume la enseñanza en sí misma como un proceso de investigación, teniendo como población objeto de estudio al alumnado de tercer y cuarto curso del grado. Como instrumentos se ha utilizado Web of Science para la revisión documental y se han elaborado cuestionarios individuales al estudiantado, de respuesta anónima, antes y tras la realización de las 8 acciones realizadas en el curso 2022/23. La revisión ha permitido la aproximación conceptual al perfil del Gastrónomo o Gastrónoma, mostrando que está relacionado con el concepto de gastrodiplomacia. La empleabilidad ha sido una preocupación detectada en más del 80% del estudiantado, destacando la falta de formación en esta dimensión del mismo. En general, se cumplieron las expectativas del 73,7% del alumnado, mostrando un grado de satisfacción adecuado por parte el 85% de los participantes. Los resultados muestran que Gastrolabora deviene en una metodología flexible de orientación laboral como actividad formativa complementaria

Customizable Heterogeneous Catalysts: Nonchanneled Advanced Monolithic Supports Manufactured by 3D-Printing for Improved Active Phase Coating Performance

Three-dimensional (3D)-printed catalysts are being increasingly studied; however, most of these studies focus on the obtention of catalytically active monoliths, and thus traditional channeled monolithic catalysts are usually obtained and tested, losing sight of the advantages that 3D-printing could entail. This work goes one step further, and an advanced monolith with specifically designed geometry has been obtained, taking advantage of the versatility provided by 3D-printing. As a proof of concept, nonchanneled advanced monolithic (NCM) support, composed of several transversal discs containing deposits for active phase deposition and slits through which the gas circulates, was obtained and tested in the CO-PrOx reaction. The results evidenced that the NCM support showed superior catalytic performance compared to conventional channeled monoliths (CMs). The region of temperature in which the active phase can work under chemical control, and thus in a more efficient way, is increased by 31% in NCM compared to the powdered or the CM sample. Turbulence occurs inside the fluid path through the NCM, which enhances the mass transfer of reagents and products toward and from the active sites to the fluid bulk favoring the chemical reaction rate. The nonchanneled monolith also improved heat dispersion by the tortuous paths, reducing the local temperature at the active site. Thus, the way in which reactants and products are transported inside the monoliths plays a crucial role, and this is affected by the inner geometry of the monoliths.The authors are grateful for the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Project CTQ2015-67597-C2-2-R), The University of Alicante (Project GRE18-01A), Generalitat Valenciana (Project PROMETEO/2018/076, Ph.D. grant GRISOLIAP/2017/177, and contract APOSTD/2019/030), Junta de Andalucía (Project P18-RTJ-2974), and the UE (FEDER funding)