Recent advances in biomedical photonic sensors: a focus on optical-fibre-based sensing

In this invited review, we provide an overview of the recent advances in biomedical pho tonic sensors within the last five years. This review is focused on works using optical-fibre technology, employing diverse optical fibres, sensing techniques, and configurations applied in several medical fields. We identified technical innovations and advancements with increased implementations of optical-fibre sensors, multiparameter sensors, and control systems in real applications. Examples of outstanding optical-fibre sensor performances for physical and biochemical parameters are covered, including diverse sensing strategies and fibre-optical probes for integration into medical instruments such as catheters, needles, or endoscopes.This work was supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación and Agencia Estatal de Investigación (PID2019-107270RB-C21/AEI/10.13039/501100011033), and TeDFeS Project (RTC-2017- 6321-1) co-funded by European FEDER funds. M.O. and J.F.A. received funding from Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades of Spain under Juan de la Cierva-Formación and Juan de la Cierva-Incorporación grants, respectively. P.R-V. received funding from Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte of Spain under PhD grant FPU2018/02797

Light technology for efficient and effective photodynamic therapy: A critical review

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cancer treatment with strong potential over well-established standard therapies in certain cases. Non-ionising radiation, localisation, possible repeated treatments, and stimulation of immunological response are some of the main beneficial features of PDT. Despite the great potential, its application remains challenging. Limited light penetration depth, non-ideal photosensitisers, complex dosimetry, and complicated implementations in the clinic are some limiting factors hindering the extended use of PDT. To surpass actual technological paradigms, radically new sources, light-based devices, advanced photosensitisers, measurement devices, and innovative application strategies are under extensive investigation. The main aim of this review is to highlight the advantages/pitfalls, technical challenges and opportunities of PDT, with a focus on technologies for light activation of photosensitisers, such as light sources, delivery devices, and systems. In this vein, a broad overview of the current status of superficial, interstitial, and deep PDT modalities - and a critical review of light sources and their effects on the PDT process - are presented. Insight into the technical advancements and remaining challenges of optical sources and light devices is provided from a physical and bioengineering perspective.This work was supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación and Agencia Estatal de Investigación (PID2019-107270RB-C21/AIE/10.13039/501100011033

Photodynamic therapy: a compendium of latest reviews

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising therapy against cancer. Even though it has been investigated for more than 100 years, scientific publications have grown exponentially in the last two decades. For this reason, we present a brief compendium of reviews of the last two decades classified under different topics, namely, overviews, reviews about specific cancers, and meta-analyses of photosensitisers, PDT mechanisms, dosimetry, and light sources. The key issues and main conclusions are summarized, including ways and means to improve therapy and outcomes. Due to the broad scope of this work and it being the first time that a compendium of the latest reviews has been performed for PDT, it may be of interest to a wide audience.This work was supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación and Agencia Estatal de Investigación (PID2019-107270RB-C21/AIE/10.13039/501100011033)

Effects of lng Mutations on LngA Expression, Processing, and CS21 Assembly in Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli E9034A

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major cause of morbidity in children under 5 years of age in low- and middle-income countries and a leading cause of traveler's diarrhea worldwide. The ability of ETEC to colonize the intestinal epithelium is mediated by fimbrial adhesins, such as CS21 (Longus). This adhesin is a type IVb pilus involved in adherence to intestinal cells in vitro and bacterial self-aggregation. Fourteen open reading frames have been proposed to be involved in CS21 assembly, hitherto only the lngA and lngB genes, coding for the major (LngA) and minor (LngB) structural subunit, have been characterized. In this study, we investigated the role of the LngA, LngB, LngC, LngD, LngH, and LngP proteins in the assembly of CS21 in ETEC strain E9034A. The deletion of the lngA, lngB, lngC, lngD, lngH, or lngP genes, abolished CS21 assembly in ETEC strain E9034A and adherence to HT-29 cells was reduced 90%, compared to wild-type strain. Subcellular localization prediction of CS21 proteins was similar to other well-known type IV pili homologues. We showed that LngP is the prepilin peptidase of LngA, and that ETEC strain E9034A has another peptidase capable of processing LngA, although with less efficiency. Additionally, we present immuno-electron microscopy imagens to show that the LngB protein could be localized at the tip of CS21, and probably helps to control CS21 length. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the LngA, LngB, LngC, LngD, LngH, and LngP proteins are essential for CS21 assembly, as well as for bacterial aggregation and adherence to HT-29 cells

Antioxidant intake among Brazilian adults - The Brazilian Osteoporosis Study (BRAZOS): a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Antioxidant nutrient intake and the lesser formation of free radicals seem to contribute to chronic diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the intake profile of the main dietary antioxidants in a representative sample of the adult Brazilian population and discuss the main consequences of a low intake of these micronutrients on overall health.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The sample comprised 2344 individuals aged 40 years or older from 150 cities and was based on a probabilistic sample from official data. The research was conducted through in-home interviews administered by a team trained for this purpose. Dietary intake information was obtained through 24-h recall. The Nutrition Data System for Research software program was used to analyze data on the intake of vitamins A, C and E, selenium and zinc, which was compared to Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). Differences in intake according to sex, anthropometrics, socioeconomic status and region were also evaluated. The SPSS statistical package (version 13) was used for the statistical analysis. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Higher proportions of low intake in relation to recommended values were found for vitamin E (99.7%), vitamin A (92.4%) and vitamin C (85.1%) in both genders. Intake variations were found between different regions, which may reflect cultural habits.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results should lead to the development of public health policies that encourage educational strategies for improving the intake of micronutrients, which are essential to overall health and prevention of non-communicable diseases.</p

Propuesta e implementación de una solución alternativa para el control, supervisión y comunicación en procesos industriales mediante programas de código libre

La utilizaci on de un sistema SCADA y comunicaci on OPC en un sistema manufacturero aumenta el rendimiento y competitividad de la industria. Su implementaci on dentro de la industria representa una importante inversi on de dinero y la empresa se limita a las caracter sticas que el proveedor dispone en cada paquete de software. Una soluci on alternativa planteada en este proyecto implica utilizar c odigo libre para realizar un sistema SCADA open-source basado en comunicaci on TCP/IP. El sistema tiene una arquitectura cliente-servidor. El servidor implementado en Python, controla las variables de los PLCs y la base de datos. El cliente SCADA est a desarrollado en Java. La correcta comunicaci on entre los niveles de automatizaci on del modelo CIM permite gestionar la plani caci on, control de producci on y administraci on de recursos. Por esta raz on, se desarrolla en este trabajo un cliente en MATLAB, que simula las funciones de un HMI, demostrando la interoperabilidad del sistemaThe computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) approach allows the possibility to remotely and optimally control the entire production process within a plant. The implementation of CIM architectures demands the installation of several software platforms, which most of the cases are commercial and have high licensing prices. This research presents the development of open software for advanced CIM (OSACIM) by using two open software development platforms: Java and Python. The use of open software in the development of the solution allows the creation of a low price CIM approach. The results of the use of OSCACIM in laboratory tests show good results in comparison with a commercial SCADA system that performs the same features of the proposed software. A detailed methodology of the software development is presented, as well as the main features and limitations of the system.Ingeniero en Electrónica y TelecomunicacionesCuenc

Análisis y modelado de un prototipo de un aerogenerador

Tesis (Maestro en Ingeniería de Manufactura), Instituto Politécnico Nacional, SEPI, ESIME, Unidad Azcapotzalco, 2010, 1 archivo PDF, ( 94 páginas), tesis.ipn.m

Proyecto de inversión para la apertura de local comercial en el patio de comidas San marino shopping center para venta de crepes, waffles y variedad en café.

The idea for Coffee & Crepes is born with the need for a product that could be consumed at any time and occasion, served with the same speed of a fast food, but with the difference being a nutritious, low in saturated fats and carbohydrates. Most of the food courts of shopping centers in the city offer dishes (mixed rice, grilled, dry, etc..), And junk or fast foods (burger, fries, sandwiches, etc.).. We believe that the crepes are a good choice of eating a delicious, quick and without charge conscience. We see almost a virgin market, as in Guayaquil, there are few places where this type of product offers one of the Crepes Samborondón and Nico on the premises of Crepes & Bagels located in some malls in the north of the city. The current trend is to eat healthy or light. We can not qualify the crepes as a dietary or light, especially because the candy contains high caloric values, but relative to other fast food, if we can say that the crepes is an option with smaller amounts of saturated fat, since most of the crepes are accompanied by salt cooked food accompanied by sauces. Also the amount of carbohydrates per serving is low in relation to products such as burgers, fries, etc. Because the mass of the crepes are very slight. This is a product that you can eat either breakfast, lunch or snack, thanks to the variety of presentations that you have. Similarly your target market is large, because for a child of 7 years is an attractive one crepe with melted chocolate ice cream, for a couple of 21 years is an attractive breakfast crepe with cheese and ham and an adult of 50 years is a good breakfast crepes with chicken and mushrooms and vegetables

Proyecto de inversión para la apertura de local comercial en el patio de comidas San marino shopping center para venta de crepes, waffles y variedad en café.

The idea for Coffee & Crepes is born with the need for a product that could be consumed at any time and occasion, served with the same speed of a fast food, but with the difference being a nutritious, low in saturated fats and carbohydrates. Most of the food courts of shopping centers in the city offer dishes (mixed rice, grilled, dry, etc..), And junk or fast foods (burger, fries, sandwiches, etc.).. We believe that the crepes are a good choice of eating a delicious, quick and without charge conscience. We see almost a virgin market, as in Guayaquil, there are few places where this type of product offers one of the Crepes Samborondón and Nico on the premises of Crepes & Bagels located in some malls in the north of the city. The current trend is to eat healthy or light. We can not qualify the crepes as a dietary or light, especially because the candy contains high caloric values, but relative to other fast food, if we can say that the crepes is an option with smaller amounts of saturated fat, since most of the crepes are accompanied by salt cooked food accompanied by sauces. Also the amount of carbohydrates per serving is low in relation to products such as burgers, fries, etc. Because the mass of the crepes are very slight. This is a product that you can eat either breakfast, lunch or snack, thanks to the variety of presentations that you have. Similarly your target market is large, because for a child of 7 years is an attractive one crepe with melted chocolate ice cream, for a couple of 21 years is an attractive breakfast crepe with cheese and ham and an adult of 50 years is a good breakfast crepes with chicken and mushrooms and vegetables