REDPETUR: collaborative experience

REDPETUR is a competency-based teaching network in the field of internships in tourism studies. Its goal is to successfully address the role of these studies in society and optimize the public resources used. This Network has carried out a series of activities, thanks to the financing of the Integral Teaching Plan of the University of Malaga, which have contributed to the adaptation of training in pandemic times using information technologies (IT) such as Virtual Campus and Icaro platform (an ecosystem which connects companies, students and teachers). In addition, from a Delphi analysis this network has set the foundations for collaboration between tourism faculties sharing generated content to ensure their students gain practical experience to complete their education.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Carbon nanodot–based electrogenerated chemiluminescence biosensor for miRNA-21 detection

A simple carbon nanodot–based electrogenerated chemiluminescence biosensor is described for sensitive and selective detection of microRNA-21 (miRNA-21), a biomarker of several pathologies including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The photoluminescent carbon nanodots (CNDs) were obtained using a new synthesis method, simply by treating tiger nut milk in a microwave reactor. The synthesis is environmentally friendly, simple, and efficient. The optical properties and morphological characteristics of the CNDs were exhaustively investigated, confirming that they have oxygen and nitrogen functional groups on their surfaces and exhibit excitation-dependent fluorescence emission, as well as photostability. They act as co-reactant agents in the anodic electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of [Ru(bpy)3]2+, producing different signals for the probe (single-stranded DNA) and the hybridized target (double-stranded DNA). These results paved the way for the development of a sensitive ECL biosensor for the detection of miRNA-21. This was developed by immobilization of a thiolated oligonucleotide, fully complementary to the miRNA-21 sequence, on the disposable gold electrode. The target miRNA-21 was hybridized with the probe on the electrode surface, and the hybridization was detected by the enhancement of the [Ru(bpy)3]2+/DNA ECL signal using CNDs. The biosensor shows a linear response to miRNA-21 concentration up to 100.0 pM with a detection limit of 0.721 fM. The method does not require complex labeling steps, and has a rapid response. It was successfully used to detect miRNA-21 directly in serum samples from heart failure patients without previous RNA extraction neither amplification processThis study is funded by the Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain) projects (TRANSNANOAVANSENS, S2018/NMT-4349, CAM/B2017/BMD-3686) and Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Spanish Government) projects: CTQ2015-71955-REDT (ELECTROBIONET), CTQ2014-53334-C2-1-R and PID2020-116728RB-I0

Occurrence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in honey samples from different geographic regions

Trabajo presentado a la XV Reunión científica de la Sociedad Española de Cromatografía y Técnicas Afines - SECyTA 2015. Castellón de la Plana, 27-30 de octubre de 2015.Honey is a natural product produced by Apis mellifera bees from the nectar or secretions of plants, and has been consumed by many people around the world as a natural food, in medical therapies, and as food supplements [1]. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a family of toxic and persistent organic pollutants that are present in food an environmental samples at different concentrations levels. For the general population, dietary intake is the main route of PCB exposure, contributing with more than 90% to daily exposure [2]. Some PCB congeners are toxic to humans, and the European Commission has recently established maximum permissible levels of dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs) in foods [3]. Twenty PCB congeners (# 28, 52, 77, 81, 101, 105, 114, 118, 123, 126, 138, 153, 156, 157, 167, 169, 170, 180, 189, and 194), including non-ortho, mono-ortho, and the most abundant PCBs were determined in 35 commercially available honeys collected between 2010 and 2012 in Brazil (n=16), Spain (n=10), Portugal (n=4), Slovenia (n=4), and Morocco (n=3). The analytical procedure followed was previously validated by the working group and briefly consists on liquid-liquid extraction followed by a clean-up step carried out using a multilayer column filled with neutral, acid, and basic modified silica. The final instrumental determination was carried out by GC-QqQ(MS/MS), using the isotope dilution technique as quantification method [4]. The results reveal the presence of low amounts of all PCB congeners (between <LOD to 878 pg/g fresh weight, f.w.) in all samples analyzed. The highest total PCB concentrations were found in Brazilian honeys (median of 1423, range of 513-3267 pg/g f.w.), followed by Portuguese (median of 1214, range of 1073-2210 pg/g f.w.), Spanish (median of 1200, range of 458-2439 pg/g f.w.), Moroccan (median of 1022, range of 955-1496 pg/g f.w.), and Slovenian (median of 558, range of 505-626 pg/g f.w.) honey samples. The WHO-TEQ concentrations are far below the maximum permissible levels for low-fatty foods in the UE legislation [3]. The principal component analysis (PCA) shows differences and similarities between PCB honey profiles from the five countries and those with Aroclors 1242, 1248, 1254, and 1260. [1] Blasco et al., J. Chromatogr. A 1049 (2011) 155-160. [2] S.M. Hays, L.L. Aylward, Regul. Toxicol. Pharm. 37 (2003) 202-217. [3] Comission Regulation (EU) No 1067/2013, OJL 289, 31.10.2013. p 56-57. [4] A. Garcia-Bermejo et al., Anal. Chim. Acta (in press) Acknowledgments: Financial support was obtained from the Spanish MINECO (project AGL2012-37201), CM (Spain) and European funding from FEDER programme (project S2013/ABI-3028, AVANSECAL).Ministerio de Economía y CompetitividadComunidad de MadridEuropean CommissionPeer reviewe

miR-127 protects proximal tubule cells against ischemia/reperfusion : identification of Kinesin family member 3B as miR-127 target

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is at the basis of renal transplantation and acute kidney injury. Molecular mechanisms underlying proximal tubule response to I/R will allow the identification of new therapeutic targets for both clinical settings. microRNAs have emerged as crucial and tight regulators of the cellular response to insults including hypoxia. Here, we have identified several miRNAs involved in the response of the proximal tubule cell to I/R. Microarrays and RT-PCR analysis of proximal tubule cells submitted to I/R mimicking conditions in vitro demonstrated that miR-127 is induced during ischemia and also during reperfusion. miR-127 is also modulated in a rat model of renal I/R. Interference approaches demonstrated that ischemic induction of miR-127 is mediated by Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1alpha (HIF-1α) stabilization. Moreover, miR-127 is involved in cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion maintenance, since overexpression of miR-127 maintains focal adhesion complex assembly and the integrity of tight junctions. miR-127 also regulates intracellular trafficking since miR-127 interference promotes dextran-FITC uptake. In fact, we have identified the Kinesin Family Member 3B (KIF3B), involved in cell trafficking, as a target of miR-127 in rat proximal tubule cells. In summary, we have described a novel role of miR-127 in cell adhesion and its regulation by HIF-1α. We also identified for the first time KIF3B as a miR-127 target. Both, miR-127 and KIF3B appear as key mediators of proximal epithelial tubule cell response to I/R with potential al application in renal ischemic damage management

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140364

The fate of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole in amended soils remains unclear, moreover in basic soils. This work aimed to assess the adsorption, leaching, and biodegradation of sulfamethoxazole in unamended and biochar from holm oak pruning (BC)- and green compost from urban pruning (CG)-amended basic soil. Adsorption properties of the organic amendments and soil were determined by adsorption isotherms of sulfamethoxazole. The leachability of this antibiotic from unamended (Soil) and BC- (Soil + BC) and GC- (Soil + GC) amended soil was determined by leaching columns using water as solvent up to 250 mL. Finally, Soil, Soil + BC, and Soil + GC were spiked with sulfamethoxazole and incubated for 42 days. The degradation rate and microbial activity were periodically monitored. Adsorption isotherms showed poor adsorption of sulfamethoxazole in unamended basic soil. BC and CG showed good adsorption capacity. Soil + BC and Soil + GC increased the sulfamethoxazole adsorption capacity of the soil. The low sulfamethoxazole adsorption of Soil produced quick and intense sulfamethoxazole leaching. Soil + BC reduced the sulfamethoxazole leaching, unlike to Soil + GC which enhanced it concerning Soil. The pH of adsorption isotherms and leachates indicate that the anion of sulfamethoxazole was the major specie in unamended and amended soil. CG enhanced the microbial activity of the soil and promoted the degradability of sulfamethoxazole. In contrast, the high adsorption and low biostimulation effect of BC in soil reduced the degradation of sulfamethoxazole. The half-life of sulfamethoxazole was 2.6, 6.9, and 11.9 days for Soil + GC, Soil, and Soil + BC, respectively. This work shows the benefits and risks of two organic amendments, BC and GC, for the environmental fate of sulfamethoxazole. The different nature of the organic carbon of the amendments was responsible for the different effects on the soilPDC 2021-120744-I0

Molecular Profiling of Decompensated Cirrhosis by a Novel MicroRNA Signature

Noninvasive staging of decompensated cirrhosis is an unmet clinical need. The aims of this study were to characterize and validate a novel microRNA (miRNA) signature to stage decompensated cirrhosis and predict the portal pressure and systolic cardiac response to nonselective beta-blockers (NSBBs). Serum samples from patients with decompensated cirrhosis (n = 36) and healthy controls (n = 36) were tested for a novel signature of five miRNAs (miR-452-5p, miR-429, miR-885-5p, miR-181b-5p, and miR-122-5p) identified in the secretome of primary human hepatocytes and for three miRNAs (miR-192-5p, miR-34a-5p, and miR-29a-5p) previously discovered as biomarkers of chronic liver disease. All patients had ascites, which was refractory in 18 (50%), and were placed on NSBBs for variceal bleeding prophylaxis. In all patients, serum miRNAs, hepatic venous pressure gradient, and an echocardiogram study were performed before and 1 month after NSBBs. Patients with cirrhosis had lower serum levels of miR-429, miR-885-5p, miR-181b-5p, miR-122-5p, miR-192-5p, and miR-29a-5p (P < 0.05). Baseline serum miR-452-5p and miR-429 levels were lower in NSBB responders (P = 0.006). miR-181b-5p levels were greater in refractory ascites than in diuretic-sensitive ascites (P = 0.008) and correlated with serum creatinine. miR-452-5p and miR-885-5p were inversely correlated with baseline systemic vascular resistance (ρ = −0.46, P = 0.007; and ρ = −0.41, P = 0.01, respectively) and with diminished systolic contractility (ρ = −0.55, P = 0.02; and ρ = −0.55, P = 0.02, respectively) in patients with refractory ascites after NSBBs. Conclusion: Analysis of a miRNA signature in serum discriminates between patients with decompensated cirrhosis who show more severe systemic circulatory dysfunction and compromised systolic function after beta-blockade and those more likely to benefit from NSBBs

Nutritional composition assessment of 3000 individualized parenteral nutrition bags in a tertiary referral hospital: Current prescribing patterns

Individualized parenteral nutrition is the most specialized type of nutritional support in the hospital setting. The composition and prescribing patterns for parenteral nutrition have evolved due to new emerging scientific evidence. In the last few years, there has been a tendency to increase the nitrogen and lipid content and decrease the carbohydrate content. To assess the prescribing pattern in a tertiary referral hospital in Spain, the nutritional composition of individualized parenteral nutrition was evaluated retrospectively from January to December of 2016. A total of 3029 parenteral nutrition units were analysed, corresponding to 257 hospitalized adult patients. Medical specialists in General Surgery and Haematology were the most common petitioners. The three most frequently prescribed parenteral nutrition formulae contained 13.4 (28.8%), 15.7 (19.54%) and 17.9 (17.79%) g of nitrogen. The quantity of carbohydrates and lipids showed a mean non-protein calories-to-nitrogen ratio of approximately 78:1 and a carbohydrate-to-lipid ratio that was near 50:50 in most cases. These results suggest a trend towards the administration of parenteral nutrition with a high content of nitrogen and smaller proportion of the non-protein components

Regular consumption of LIPIGO® promotes the reduction of body weight and improves the rebound effect of obese people undergo a comprehensive weight loss program

Obesity is a global public health problem. Objective: To evaluate the effect of the regular consumption of the product Lipigo® on body weight and rebound effect on overweight/obese subjects undergoing a comprehensive weight loss program. Methods: A randomized, parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted with male and female subjects presenting a BMI 25–39.9 kg/m . All subjects underwent a comprehensive weight loss program (WLP) for 12 weeks, which included an individualized hypocaloric diet, physical activity recommendations, nutritional education seminars, and three times a day consumption of the product Lipigo® or Placebo. After-WLP, subjects continued the treatment for 9 months to assess rebound effect. Body weight (BW), BMI, and body composition were measured at the beginning and the end of the WLP, and in the follow-up. Results: A total of 120 subjects (85% women) 49.0 ± 9.5 years old and with a BW of 81.57 ± 13.26 kg (BMI 31.19 ± 3.44 kg/m ) were randomized and 73 subjects finished the study. At the end of the WLP, there was a tendency toward reduced BW (p = 0.093), BMI (p = 0.063), and WC (p = 0.059) in the treated group. However, subjects with obesity type 1 (OB1) from the treated group significantly reduced body weight (−5.27 ± 2.75 vs. −3.08 ± 1.73 kg; p = 0.017) and BMI (−1.99 ± 1.08 vs. −1.09 ± 0.55 kg/m ; p = 0.01) compared with placebo. They also presented a minor rebound effect after 9 months with product consumption (−4.19 ± 3.61 vs. −1.44 ± 2.51 kg; p = 0.026), minor BMI (−1.61 ± 1.43 vs. −0.52 ± 0.96 kg/m ; p = 0.025) and tended to have less fat-mass (−3.44 ± 2.46 vs. −1.44 ± 3.29 kg; p = 0.080) compared with placebo. Conclusions: The regular consumption of the product Lipigo® promotes the reduction of body weight and reduces the rebound effect of obese people after 52 weeks (12 months), mainly in obesity type 1, who undergo a comprehensive weight loss program. 2 2 2 2This study was supported by the DAMM S.A. group through the project RTC-2016-5317-1 from the RETOS COLABORACIÓN 2016 program of Economy and Competitiveness Ministry of Spain (MINECO

Dependence of Induced Biological Damage on the Energy Distribution and Intensity of Clinical Intra-Operative Radiotherapy Electron Beams

The survival fraction of epithelial HaCaT cells was analysed to assess the biological damage caused by intraoperative radiotherapy electron beams with varying energy spectra and intensities. These conditions were achieved by irradiating the cells at different depths in water using nominal 6 MeV electron beams while consistently delivering a dose of 5 Gy to the cell layer. Furthermore, a Monte Carlo simulation of the entire irradiation procedure was performed to evaluate the molecular damage in terms of molecular dissociations induced by the radiation. A significant agreement was found between the molecular damage predicted by the simulation and the damage derived from the analysis of the survival fraction. In both cases, a linear relationship was evident, indicating a clear tendency for increased damage as the averaged incident electron energy and intensity decreased for a constant absorbed dose, lowering the dose rate. This trend suggests that the radiation may have a more pronounced impact on surrounding healthy tissues than initially anticipated. However, it is crucial to conduct additional experiments with different target geometries to confirm this tendency and quantify the extent of this effect