A microfluidic liquid phase microextraction method for drugs and parabens monitoring in human urine

Frequent consumption of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have emerged as a current problem that highlights the pressing need for new multi-residue analytical methods that allow their simultaneous determination to assess their overall effect on human health. In this regard and for the first time, a versatile microfluidic based- liquid phase microextraction (LPME) method was developed for simultaneous monitoring of ten compounds from six different classes: amoxicillin, sulfadiazine, sulfamerazine, tiamphenicol, ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, flumequine, propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, 5-hydroxydiclofenac, 3-hydroxydiclofenac and diclofenac. The microfluidic device was combined with a HPLC-UV system for the separation and determination of the model analytes in the sample. Optimal conditions were reached using 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether as supported liquid membrane, pH 3.5 as donor phase, pH 11.5 as acceptor phase, 0.5 µL min−1 as donor flow rate and 1 µL min−1 as acceptor flow rate. Under optimal method conditions, the extraction efficiency was between 85 and 100% for most compounds after 10 min extraction, and it was successfully applied in non-diluted human urine, with recoveries between 70 and 100% for all analytes except for sulfamerazine (52% recovery). In addition, the extraction of metabolites (3-hydroxydiclofenac and 5-hydroxydiclofenac) was also demonstrated in microfluidic systems with recoveries between 71 and 100% in human urine. The proposed method allowed consecutive extraction and only requires 5 µL of organic solvent and less than 15 µL of sample volume

Búsqueda de alimentos ricos en provitamina D (Ergosterol)

En este trabajo se presentan los resultados obtenidos para el contenido en provitamina D2 (ergosterol) en diferentes muestras de origen vegetal. Muestras de lechuga, dátiles, uvas, arroz y champiñones fueron sometidas a un tratamiento de extracción con hexano y el contenido en ergosterol medido mediante análisis por cromatografía líquida de alta resolución con detección ultravioleta de diodos en fila, obteniéndose los mayores contenidos en ergosterol en las muestras de champiñón y lechuga

Targeted and untargeted metabolomic analysis of Procambarus clarkii exposed to a “chemical cocktail” of heavy metals and diclofenac

La contaminación del agua plantea un problema importante, pero se dispone de información limitada sobre los efectos conjuntos de xenobióticos de diferentes grupos químicos para evaluar la respuesta biológica real. Procambarus clarkii (P. clarkii) ha demostrado ser un buen bioindicador para evaluar la calidad de los ecosistemas acuáticos. En este trabajo, se ha estudiado la bioacumulación de cadmio (Cd), arsénico (As) y diclofenaco (DCF) en diferentes tejidos durante 21 días después de la exposición a un “cóctel químico” de As, Cd y DCF, y hasta 28 días considerando un período de purificación. Además, se llevó a cabo un análisis metabolómico dirigido y no dirigido para profundizar en las alteraciones metabólicas provocadas así como en la metabolización del DCF.Water pollution poses an important problem, but limited information is available about the joined effects of xenobiotics of different chemical groups to evaluate the real biological response. Procambarus clarkii (P. clarkii) has been demonstrated to be a good bioindicator for assessing the quality of aquatic ecosystems. In this work, we studied the bioaccumulation of cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and diclofenac (DCF) in different tissues of P. clarkii during 21 days after the exposure to a “chemical cocktail” of As, Cd and DCF, and until 28 days considering a depuration period. In addition, a combined untargeted and targeted metabolomic analysis was carried out to delve the metabolic impairments caused as well as the metabolization of DCF. Our results indicate that As and Cd were mainly accumulated in the hepatopancreas followed by gills and finally abdominal muscle. As and Cd show a general trend to increase the concentration throughout the exposure experience, while a decrease in the concentration of these elements is observed after 7 days of the depuration process. This is also the case in the abdominal muscle for Cd, but not for As and DCF, which increased the concentration in this tissue in the depuration phase. The hepatopancreas showed the greatest number of metabolic pathways affected. Thus, we observed a crucial bioaccumulation of xenobiotics and impairments of metabolites in different tissues. This is the first study combining the exposure to metals and pharmaceutically active compounds in P. clarkii by untargeted metabolomics including the biotransformation of DCF.This work was supported by the coordinated projects PGC 2018- 096608-B-C21 and PGC 2018-096608-B-C22 from the Spanish Ministry of Science and innovation (MCIN). (Generacion ´ del Conocimiento. MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER “Una manera de hacer Europa”). Authors are grateful to FEDER (European Community) for financial support, Grant UNHU13-1E-1611. Rodríguez-Moro, G. thanks to Plan Andaluz de Investigacion, ´ Desarrollo e Innovacion ´ (PAIDI 2020) and Fondo Social Europeo for a postdoctoral grant (DOC_01115). Au thors are grateful to Servicio General de Investigacion ´ de Microanalisis, ´ CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION ´ TECNOLOG´IA E INNOVACION ´ (CITIUS). Universidad de Sevilla, for the use of some of the chromatographic equipment. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Huelva / CBUA

Desarrollo de líneas experimentales para su aplicación en los Trabajos de Fin de Grado en Química

Desde el punto de vista académico, los Trabajos Fin de Grado en Ciencias Químicas se presentan como proyectos experimentales relacionados con problemas reales, orientados a progresar en conocimientos y fortalecer competencias adquiridas, convirtiéndose en claves del currículo para el mundo profesional. Se abordan una serie de proyectos de laboratorio como una aproximación más realista al aprendizaje integral. La metodología docente propuesta favorece la búsqueda de información, pensamiento crítico, superación continua y éxito de los estudiantes, similar a la que se realiza en el mundo real, estimulando su interés y motivación durante el proceso de aprendizaje.Des del punt de vista acadèmic, els Treballs Fi de Grau en Ciències Químiques es presenten com a projectes experimentals relacionats amb problemes reals, orientats a progressar en coneixements i enfortir competències adquirides, convertint-se en claus del currículum per al món professional. S'aborden una sèrie de projectes integrals de laboratori com una aproximació més realista a l'aprenentatge integral. La metodologia docent proposta afavoreix la busca d'informació, pensament crític, superació contínua i èxit dels estudiants, semblant a la què es realitza en el món real, estimulant el seu interès i motivació durant el procés d'aprenentatge.From the academic point of view, the bachelor thesis in Chemistry is presented as a project based on a real problem. The goal is to progress in strengthening knowledge and skills already acquired. This is a key element for the students curricula related to their integration into the professional world. A comprehensive series of laboratory projects have been developed as a more realistic approach to the concept of integral learning. Teaching methodology promotes information searching, critical thinking, continuous improvement and success. The procedure is performed in conditions close to the real world, stimulating interest and motivation during the learning process

SARS-CoV-2-induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Pulmonary Mechanics and Gas-Exchange Abnormalities

In January 2020, the first cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection were reported in Europe. Multiple outbreaks have since then led to a global pandemic, as well as to massive medical, economic, and social repercussions. SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia can develop into acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) when mechanical ventilation (MV) is needed (3, 4). ARDS produces abnormalities in gas exchange with a variable degree of shunt (5), high dead space ventilation (dead space volume [Vd]/tidal volume [Vt] ratio) (6), diminished pulmonary compliance (7), and alterations to the pulmonary circulation (8). The cornerstone of ARDS management is to provide adequate gas exchange without further lung injury as a result of MV. To date, information regarding the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2-induced ARDS is not completely known. However, this information is crucial to better apply MV and facilitate organ support strategies. We therefore present the characteristics of gas exchange, pulmonary mechanics, and ventilatory management of 50 patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, who developed ARDS and underwent invasive MV (IMV). Methods: Descriptive analysis included 50 consecutive patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who developed ARDS (9) and underwent IMV. These patients were admitted to the SARS-CoV-2-dedicated intensive care units (ICUs) at Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Spain, between March 7 and March 25, 2020. Upon ICU admission, epidemiological characteristics, the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection with the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, prognostic biomarkers of SARS-CoV-2 infection (described in Reference 4), time from hospital to ICU admission, time from ICU admission to intubation, oxygen therapy or noninvasive ventilation (NIV) use, and microbiology were investigated. On the day that criteria for ARDS diagnosis were met (9) and IMV was needed, the following assessments were performed: impairment in oxygenation was analyzed with the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) ratio, and abnormalities of CO2 metabolism were studied with the ventilatory ratio (VR), a surrogate parameter of Vd/Vt. In addition, adjunctive therapies and MV parameters related with ventilation-induced lung injury (VILI) described elsewhere (11-15) were investigated. Correlations of SARS-CoV-2 prognostic biomarkers (4), pulmonary mechanics, and gas-exchange data were performed. Twenty-eight-day and hospital mortality, ventilator- and ICU-free days at Day 28, hospital and ICU lengths of stay, and need for tracheostomy were also evaluated (16). Finally, a subanalysis assessing differences before and after prone positioning was performed. For additional detail on the method, see the online supplement. Results: By March 25th, 2020, 50 patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and ARDS had been admitted to our hospital. Table 1 shows the demographic and clinical characteristics of these patients. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age was 66 (57-74) years. Thirty-six patients (72%) were men. Upon ARDS diagnosis, 44% of patients were initially classified as having moderate ARDS, whereas 24% were classified as having mild ARDS and 32% were classified as having severe ARDS. The outcomes of these patients are shown in Table 1. ICU and hospital lengths of stay were prolonged, and tracheostomy was performed in 30 (60%) patients. Hospital mortality was 34%

Valoración de las metodologías y herramientas docentes por el alumnado. Impulso del mentoring para profesores en la enseñanza online y presencial

Depto. de Derecho CivilFac. de DerechoFALSEsubmitte

The evolution of the ventilatory ratio is a prognostic factor in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 ARDS patients

Background: Mortality due to COVID-19 is high, especially in patients requiring mechanical ventilation. The purpose of the study is to investigate associations between mortality and variables measured during the first three days of mechanical ventilation in patients with COVID-19 intubated at ICU admission. Methods: Multicenter, observational, cohort study includes consecutive patients with COVID-19 admitted to 44 Spanish ICUs between February 25 and July 31, 2020, who required intubation at ICU admission and mechanical ventilation for more than three days. We collected demographic and clinical data prior to admission; information about clinical evolution at days 1 and 3 of mechanical ventilation; and outcomes. Results: Of the 2,095 patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU, 1,118 (53.3%) were intubated at day 1 and remained under mechanical ventilation at day three. From days 1 to 3, PaO2/FiO2 increased from 115.6 [80.0-171.2] to 180.0 [135.4-227.9] mmHg and the ventilatory ratio from 1.73 [1.33-2.25] to 1.96 [1.61-2.40]. In-hospital mortality was 38.7%. A higher increase between ICU admission and day 3 in the ventilatory ratio (OR 1.04 [CI 1.01-1.07], p = 0.030) and creatinine levels (OR 1.05 [CI 1.01-1.09], p = 0.005) and a lower increase in platelet counts (OR 0.96 [CI 0.93-1.00], p = 0.037) were independently associated with a higher risk of death. No association between mortality and the PaO2/FiO2 variation was observed (OR 0.99 [CI 0.95 to 1.02], p = 0.47). Conclusions: Higher ventilatory ratio and its increase at day 3 is associated with mortality in patients with COVID-19 receiving mechanical ventilation at ICU admission. No association was found in the PaO2/FiO2 variation

Famílies botàniques de plantes medicinals

Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona. Ensenyament: Grau de Farmàcia, Assignatura: Botànica Farmacèutica, Curs: 2013-2014, Coordinadors: Joan Simon, Cèsar Blanché i Maria Bosch.Els materials que aquí es presenten són els recull de 175 treballs d’una família botànica d’interès medicinal realitzats de manera individual. Els treballs han estat realitzat per la totalitat dels estudiants dels grups M-2 i M-3 de l’assignatura Botànica Farmacèutica durant els mesos d’abril i maig del curs 2013-14. Tots els treballs s’han dut a terme a través de la plataforma de GoogleDocs i han estat tutoritzats pel professor de l’assignatura i revisats i finalment co-avaluats entre els propis estudiants. L’objectiu principal de l’activitat ha estat fomentar l’aprenentatge autònom i col·laboratiu en Botànica farmacèutica