Enkapsulacija askorbinske kiseline u hidrofobnom silikagelu

Self-assembled hybrid organo-silica sol-gel materials are rapidly expanding for newand novel applications. The microporous solid silica matrix was used as a carrier for the controlled release of ascorbic acid (AA), selected as cargo molecule. One-step synthesis procedure was optimized for the preparation of silica–molecule composites by using tetraethoxysilane and methyltrimethoxysilane as precursors. The hydrophobic silica xerogel matrices were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction. Specific surface area and porosity parameters were determined by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) technique and the matrix surface morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The observed release pattern could be interesting for the development of AA-fortified food and for use in food packaging.Hibridni, organsko-silikatni sol-gel materijal sve se više primjenjuje u prehrambenoj industriji. Stoga je kao nosač za kontrolirano otpuštanje askorbinske kiseline upotrijebljen mikroporozni čvrsti silikatni matriks. Optimirana je jednostupanjska sinteza kojom su dobiveni silikatni kompoziti uz pomoć prekurzora: tetraetoksisilana i metiltrimetoksisilana. Matriksi su hidrofobnog silikagela okarakterizirani Fourier transformiranom infracrvenom spektroskopijom (FTIR) i difrakcijom X-zraka. Specifična površina i poroznost matriksa ispitane su Brunaer-Emmett-Teller (BET) metodom, dok su morfološka svojstva površine matriksa određena skenirajućim elektronskim mikroskopom (SEM). Utvrđeno je da se askorbinska kiselina ovako može upotrijebiti za proizvodnju hrane s dodanom vrijednošću, te za pakiranje prehrambenih proizvoda

Enkapsulacija askorbinske kiseline u hidrofobnom silikagelu

Self-assembled hybrid organo-silica sol-gel materials are rapidly expanding for newand novel applications. The microporous solid silica matrix was used as a carrier for the controlled release of ascorbic acid (AA), selected as cargo molecule. One-step synthesis procedure was optimized for the preparation of silica–molecule composites by using tetraethoxysilane and methyltrimethoxysilane as precursors. The hydrophobic silica xerogel matrices were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction. Specific surface area and porosity parameters were determined by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) technique and the matrix surface morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The observed release pattern could be interesting for the development of AA-fortified food and for use in food packaging.Hibridni, organsko-silikatni sol-gel materijal sve se više primjenjuje u prehrambenoj industriji. Stoga je kao nosač za kontrolirano otpuštanje askorbinske kiseline upotrijebljen mikroporozni čvrsti silikatni matriks. Optimirana je jednostupanjska sinteza kojom su dobiveni silikatni kompoziti uz pomoć prekurzora: tetraetoksisilana i metiltrimetoksisilana. Matriksi su hidrofobnog silikagela okarakterizirani Fourier transformiranom infracrvenom spektroskopijom (FTIR) i difrakcijom X-zraka. Specifična površina i poroznost matriksa ispitane su Brunaer-Emmett-Teller (BET) metodom, dok su morfološka svojstva površine matriksa određena skenirajućim elektronskim mikroskopom (SEM). Utvrđeno je da se askorbinska kiselina ovako može upotrijebiti za proizvodnju hrane s dodanom vrijednošću, te za pakiranje prehrambenih proizvoda

Influencia de la anisotropic en la durabilidad de las dolomías Cretácicas de la Comunidad de Madrid frente a la cristalización de sales

The behaviour of dolostone exposed to the effects of salt crystallization processes was studied on materials from Redueña and Torrelaguna in the province of Madrid, Spain. Much of the region's architectural and monumental heritage was built with the materials from these two sites. Stone specimens were selected for testing on the basis of ultrasonic wave propagation velocity (Vp) measurements taken in around one hundred cubic samples of each variety. The anisotropy indices were calculated and the samples were clustered on the basis of the results. Two representative samples of each class were taken and characterized for their petrographic and petrophysical properties before and after exposure to salt crystallization cycles. Ageing was evaluated in terms of weight loss and the visual deterioration observed. The pattern of decay found varied substantially in the two materials: the Redueña material exhibited more intense deterioration, with scaling and spalling, while the Torrelaguna dolostone tended to generate fragmentation and rounding at corners and edges.Depto. de Mineralogía y PetrologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEComunidad de MadridMinisterio de EducaciónUnión Europeapu

Influencia de la anisotropía en la durabilidad de las dolomías Cretácicas de la Comunidad de Madrid frente a la cristalización de sales

The resistance of dolomitic limestone to salt crystallization processes was studied on materials from Redueña and Torrelaguna in the province of Madrid, Spain. Much of the region’s architectural and monumental heritage was built with the materials from these two sites. Stone specimens were selected for testing on the basis of ultrasonic wave propagation velocity (Vp) measurements taken in around one hundred cubic samples of each variety. The anisotropy indices were calculated and the samples were clustered on the basis of the results. Two representative samples of each class were taken and characterized for their petrographic and petrophysical properties before and after exposure to salt crystallization cycles. Ageing was evaluated in terms of weight loss and the visual deterioration observed. The degeneration pattern found varied substantially in the two materials: the Requena material exhibited more intense deterioration, with scaling and spalling, while the Torrelaguna dolostone tended to generate fragmentation and rounding at corners and edges. The anisotropy of these stones does not appear to clearly govern salt crystallization-mediated deterioration. Although no clear relationship could be established between the intensity of deterioration and the initial anisotropy indices, total anisotropy was observed to increase as a general rule, and normally more than the relative anisotropy index. No specific anisotropic group was found to undergo greater variation than any other.En este trabajo se estudia el comportamiento de las dolomías de Redueña y de Torrelaguna frente a los efectos de la cristalización de sales. Ambos materiales han sido ampliamente utilizados en la construcción del Patrimonio arquitectónico y monumental de la región de Madrid. Para la selección de las probetas pétreas a ensayar, se midió la velocidad de propagación de ondas ultrasónicas (Vp) en cerca de un centenar de muestras cúbicas de cada variedad. Se calcularon los índices de anisotropía y se realizó un proceso de clustering para su clasificación en función de niveles de anisotropía. De cada clase se tomaron dos probetas representativas y se procedió a su caracterización petrográfica y petrofísica antes y después de someterlas a ciclos de cristalización de sales. Para la evaluación del envejecimiento se registró la variación de peso y se documentó el deterioro visual observado. El patrón de degradación para cada uno de los materiales frente a los ciclos es bastante distinto: la dolomía de Redueña es la que presenta un deterioro más intenso con descamaciones y desplacados mientras que la de Torrelaguna tiende a generar fragmentaciones y formas redondeadas. La anisotropía de los materiales pétreos estudiados no parece controlar de forma clara el proceso de su deterioro por cristalización de sales. Aunque no ha sido posible establecer una relación clara entre intensidad de deterioro e índices de anisotropía iniciales, en general, se observa un incremento del índice de anisotropía total, por lo general algo menor para el índice de anisotropía relativa, sin poder apreciar que las variaciones sean mayores en un grupo de anisotropía específico

Ammonia levels in different kinds of sampling sites in the central Iberian Peninsula

Ponencia presentada en:2nd Iberian Meeting on Aerosol Science and Technology (RICTA 2014) celebrado en Tarragona del 7 al 9 de julio de 2014.Ammonia is the Secondary Inorganic Aerosol (SIC) gaseous precursor which has been studied to a lesser extent in the Madrid Metropolitan Area up to date. A study conducted in the city of Madrid with the aim of characterizing levels of ammonia took place in 2011. These campaigns formed part of a larger study conducted in 6 Spanish cities. A time series of weekly integrated ammonia measurements available at an EMEP rural site (Campisábalos) has been used to obtain information on the ammonia rural background in the region. The results point to traffic and waste treatment plants as the main ammonia sources in Madrid. Relevant seasonal differences have not been observed in the Metropolitan Area. The explanation can be related to the fall in the rural background levels during July 2011, which might conceal urban summer emission increases observed in other cities

Rupture and distribution causes of carbonate chimneys in the Guadalquivir Ridge and Cadiz Channel (Sub Portugual Continental Margin)

A lo largo del Canal y Dorsal de Cádiz se ha observado la existencia de numerosas chimeneas carbonatadas con evidencias de rotura por flexo-tracción en su base. Este trabajo aborda el análisis de la distribución espacial y las características mecánicas de las chimeneas con el objeto de determinar la causa de la rotura. Se han considerado como posibles causas de la rotura el empuje debido a la Corriente Mediterránea de Salida que se canaliza a través del Canal de Cádiz o la inercia asociada al movimiento del terreno debido a un evento sísmico. La orientación preferente de caída de las chimeneas, así como el resultado del cálculo de la velocidad del flujo y de la aceleración del terreno necesaria para provocar la rotura en base a las características mecánicas de las mismas sugiere que su rotura pudo ser causada por un terremoto de Mw entre 5,7 a 7,0.The existence of carbonate chimneys with evidence of basal flexo-traction crack has been observed along the Cadiz Contourite Channel and Cadiz Diapiric Ridge. This research aims the study of spatial distribution and the mechanical characteristics of the chimneys for determining their rupture cause. The Mediterranean Outflow Water along the Cadiz Channel or inertia force due to ground oscillatory movement related to a seismic event could be responsible for the chimneys rupture. Considering the preferential orientation of the broken chimneys and the results obtained from estimating flow speed and ground acceleration, according to their mechanical behaviour, the occurrence of a Mw 5,7-7,0 earthquake can be suggested as the most probable cause.Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEEurocore-EuromarginsCONSOLIDER-INGENIOpu

The coexistence of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic nephropathy is associated with worse kidney outcomes

Up to 50-60% of patients with diabetes have non-diabetic kidney disease (NDKD) on kidney biopsy. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of diabetes frequently associated with diabetic nephropathy (DN). The objective of the current study was to investigate the kidney outcomes and survival in patients with biopsy diagnoses of DN and NDKD according to the presence of DR. We conducted an observational, multicentre and retrospective study of the pathological findings of renal biopsies from 832 consecutive patients with diabetes from 2002 to 2014 from 18 nephrology departments. The association of DR with kidney replacement therapy (KRT) or survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. Of 832 patients with diabetes and renal biopsy, 768 had a retinal examination and 221/768 (22.6%) had DR. During a follow-up of 10 years, 288/760 (37.9%) patients with follow-up data needed KRT and 157/760 (20.7%) died. The incidence of KRT was higher among patients with DN (alone or with NDKD) and DR [103/175 (58.9%)] than among patients without DR [88/216 (40.7%), P <.0001]. The incidence of KRT was also higher among patients with only NDKD and DR than among those without DR [18/46 (39.1%) versus 79/331 (23.9%), P <.0001]. In multivariate analysis, DR or DN were independent risk factors for KRT {hazard ratio [HR] 2.48 [confidence interval (CI) 1.85-3.31], P <.001}. DN (with or without DR) was also identified as an independent risk factor for mortality [HR 1.81 (CI 1.26-2.62), P =.001]. DR is associated with a higher risk of progression to kidney failure in patients with histological DN and in patients with NDKD

Risk factors for non-diabetic renal disease in diabetic patients

Background. Diabetic patients with kidney disease have a high prevalence of non-diabetic renal disease (NDRD). Renal and patient survival regarding the diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) or NDRD have not been widely studied. The aim of our study is to evaluate the prevalence of NDRD in patients with diabetes and to determine the capacity of clinical and analytical data in the prediction of NDRD. In addition, we will study renal and patient prognosis according to the renal biopsy findings in patients with diabetes. Methods. Retrospective multicentre observational study of renal biopsies performed in patients with diabetes from 2002 to 2014. Results. In total, 832 patients were included: 621 men (74.6%), mean age of 61.7 6 12.8 years, creatinine was 2.8 6 2.2 mg/dL and proteinuria 2.7 (interquartile range: 1.2–5.4) g/24 h. About 39.5% (n ¼ 329) of patients had DN, 49.6% (n ¼ 413) NDRD and 10.8% (n ¼ 90) mixed forms. The most frequent NDRD was nephroangiosclerosis (NAS) (n ¼ 87, 9.3%). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age [odds ratio (OR) ¼ 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02–1.05, P < 0.001], microhaematuria (OR ¼ 1.51, 95% CI: 1.03–2.21, P ¼ 0.033) and absence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) (OR ¼ 0.28, 95% CI: 0.19–0.42, P < 0.001) were independently associated with NDRD. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that patients with DN or mixed forms presented worse renal prognosis than NDRD (P < 0.001) and higher mortality (P ¼ 0.029). In multivariate Cox analyses, older age (P < 0.001), higher serum creatinine (P < 0.001), higher proteinuria (P < 0.001), DR (P ¼ 0.007) and DN (P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for renal replacement therapy. In addition, older age (P < 0.001), peripheral vascular disease (P ¼ 0.002), higher creatinine (P ¼ 0.01) and DN (P ¼ 0.015) were independent risk factors for mortality. Conclusions. The most frequent cause of NDRD is NAS. Elderly patients with microhaematuria and the absence of DR are the ones at risk for NDRD. Patients with DN presented worse renal prognosis and higher mortality than those with NDRD. These results suggest that in some patients with diabetes, kidney biopsy may be useful for an accurate renal diagnosis and subsequently treatment and prognosis

Effectiveness of an mHealth intervention combining a smartphone app and smart band on body composition in an overweight and obese population: Randomized controlled trial (EVIDENT 3 study)

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) is currently among the supporting elements that may contribute to an improvement in health markers by helping people adopt healthier lifestyles. mHealth interventions have been widely reported to achieve greater weight loss than other approaches, but their effect on body composition remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to assess the short-term (3 months) effectiveness of a mobile app and a smart band for losing weight and changing body composition in sedentary Spanish adults who are overweight or obese. Methods: A randomized controlled, multicenter clinical trial was conducted involving the participation of 440 subjects from primary care centers, with 231 subjects in the intervention group (IG; counselling with smartphone app and smart band) and 209 in the control group (CG; counselling only). Both groups were counselled about healthy diet and physical activity. For the 3-month intervention period, the IG was trained to use a smartphone app that involved self-monitoring and tailored feedback, as well as a smart band that recorded daily physical activity (Mi Band 2, Xiaomi). Body composition was measured using the InBody 230 bioimpedance device (InBody Co., Ltd), and physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: The mHealth intervention produced a greater loss of body weight (–1.97 kg, 95% CI –2.39 to –1.54) relative to standard counselling at 3 months (–1.13 kg, 95% CI –1.56 to –0.69). Comparing groups, the IG achieved a weight loss of 0.84 kg more than the CG at 3 months. The IG showed a decrease in body fat mass (BFM; –1.84 kg, 95% CI –2.48 to –1.20), percentage of body fat (PBF; –1.22%, 95% CI –1.82% to 0.62%), and BMI (–0.77 kg/m2, 95% CI –0.96 to 0.57). No significant changes were observed in any of these parameters in men; among women, there was a significant decrease in BMI in the IG compared with the CG. When subjects were grouped according to baseline BMI, the overweight group experienced a change in BFM of –1.18 kg (95% CI –2.30 to –0.06) and BMI of –0.47 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.80 to –0.13), whereas the obese group only experienced a change in BMI of –0.53 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.86 to –0.19). When the data were analyzed according to physical activity, the moderate-vigorous physical activity group showed significant changes in BFM of –1.03 kg (95% CI –1.74 to –0.33), PBF of –0.76% (95% CI –1.32% to –0.20%), and BMI of –0.5 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.83 to –0.19). Conclusions: The results from this multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial study show that compared with standard counselling alone, adding a self-reported app and a smart band obtained beneficial results in terms of weight loss and a reduction in BFM and PBF in female subjects with a BMI less than 30 kg/m2 and a moderate-vigorous physical activity level. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to ensure that this profile benefits more than others from this intervention and to investigate modifications of this intervention to achieve a global effect