Ageing effects on the small-strain stiffness of a bio-treated compacted soil

The effect of ageing on the small-strain shear stiffness of compacted silty-clayey sand following a ‘soft’ biological treatment is discussed. Samples were prepared by static compaction, adding urea-degrading bacteria to the compaction water. No nutrients were artificially added, relying on the natural availability of urea and calcium ions (Ca2 +) in the humic soil and in the compaction water for the bacteria to precipitate calcium carbonate. After compaction, to replicate different environmental boundary conditions, some of the samples were cured in a system open to vapour transfer and some were cured in a closed system. The small-strain shear stiffness was periodically tracked with bender elements during the ageing period. Tests were run in parallel to investigate the unconfined compression strength, the water retention properties and soil pore size distribution changes during ageing. The test results revealed a small but consistent increase in the small-strain shear stiffness during the ageing period due to the microbiological treatment, in both the closed and open systems. In the latter case, the contribution of the microbiological treatment to the increase in stiffness could be estimated after correcting the data for the suction increase due to evaporation.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Glucose-triggered release using enzyme-gated mesoporous silica nanoparticles

[EN] A new gated nanodevice design able to control cargo delivery using glucose as a trigger and cyclodextrin-modified glucose oxidase as a capping agent is reported.Financial support from the Spanish Government (projects MAT2012-38429-C04-01 and CTQ2011-24355), Generalitat Valenciana (project PROMETEO/2009/016), UPV (project SP20120795) and Ramon y Cajal Programme (to R. V.) is gratefully acknowledged.Aznar Gimeno, E.; Villalonga, R.; Giménez Morales, C.; Sancenón Galarza, F.; Marcos Martínez, MD.; Martínez Mañez, R.; Díez, P.... (2013). Glucose-triggered release using enzyme-gated mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Chemical Communications. 49(57):6391-6393. https://doi.org/10.1039/c3cc42210kS639163934957Coll, C., Bernardos, A., Martínez-Máñez, R., & Sancenón, F. (2012). Gated Silica Mesoporous Supports for Controlled Release and Signaling Applications. Accounts of Chemical Research, 46(2), 339-349. doi:10.1021/ar3001469Aznar, E., Martínez-Máñez, R., & Sancenón, F. (2009). Controlled release using mesoporous materials containing gate-like scaffoldings. Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, 6(6), 643-655. doi:10.1517/17425240902895980Cotí, K. K., Belowich, M. E., Liong, M., Ambrogio, M. W., Lau, Y. A., Khatib, H. A., … Stoddart, J. F. (2009). Mechanised nanoparticles for drug delivery. Nanoscale, 1(1), 16. doi:10.1039/b9nr00162jKresge, C. T., Leonowicz, M. E., Roth, W. J., Vartuli, J. C., & Beck, J. S. (1992). Ordered mesoporous molecular sieves synthesized by a liquid-crystal template mechanism. Nature, 359(6397), 710-712. doi:10.1038/359710a0Lai, C.-Y., Trewyn, B. G., Jeftinija, D. M., Jeftinija, K., Xu, S., Jeftinija, S., & Lin, V. S.-Y. (2003). A Mesoporous Silica Nanosphere-Based Carrier System with Chemically Removable CdS Nanoparticle Caps for Stimuli-Responsive Controlled Release of Neurotransmitters and Drug Molecules. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 125(15), 4451-4459. doi:10.1021/ja028650lPark, C., Oh, K., Lee, S. C., & Kim, C. (2007). Controlled Release of Guest Molecules from Mesoporous Silica Particles Based on a pH-Responsive Polypseudorotaxane Motif. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 46(9), 1455-1457. doi:10.1002/anie.200603404Casasús, R., Climent, E., Marcos, M. D., Martínez-Máñez, R., Sancenón, F., Soto, J., … Ruiz, E. (2008). Dual Aperture Control on pH- and Anion-Driven Supramolecular Nanoscopic Hybrid Gate-like Ensembles. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 130(6), 1903-1917. doi:10.1021/ja0756772Liu, R., Liao, P., Liu, J., & Feng, P. (2011). Responsive Polymer-Coated Mesoporous Silica as a pH-Sensitive Nanocarrier for Controlled Release. Langmuir, 27(6), 3095-3099. doi:10.1021/la104973jCliment, E., Martínez-Máñez, R., Sancenón, F., Marcos, M. D., Soto, J., Maquieira, A., & Amorós, P. (2010). Controlled Delivery Using Oligonucleotide-Capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 49(40), 7281-7283. doi:10.1002/anie.201001847Mal, N. K., Fujiwara, M., & Tanaka, Y. (2003). Photocontrolled reversible release of guest molecules from coumarin-modified mesoporous silica. Nature, 421(6921), 350-353. doi:10.1038/nature01362Fu, Q., Rao, G. V. R., Ista, L. K., Wu, Y., Andrzejewski, B. P., Sklar, L. A., … López, G. P. (2003). Control of Molecular Transport Through Stimuli-Responsive Ordered Mesoporous Materials. Advanced Materials, 15(15), 1262-1266. doi:10.1002/adma.200305165Aznar, E., Mondragón, L., Ros-Lis, J. V., Sancenón, F., Marcos, M. D., Martínez-Máñez, R., … Amorós, P. (2011). Finely Tuned Temperature-Controlled Cargo Release Using Paraffin-Capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 50(47), 11172-11175. doi:10.1002/anie.201102756Bringas, E., Köysüren, Ö., Quach, D. V., Mahmoudi, M., Aznar, E., Roehling, J. D., … Stroeve, P. (2012). Triggered release in lipid bilayer-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles containing SPION using an alternating magnetic field. Chemical Communications, 48(45), 5647. doi:10.1039/c2cc31563gPatel, K., Angelos, S., Dichtel, W. R., Coskun, A., Yang, Y.-W., Zink, J. I., & Stoddart, J. F. (2008). Enzyme-Responsive Snap-Top Covered Silica Nanocontainers. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 130(8), 2382-2383. doi:10.1021/ja0772086Schlossbauer, A., Kecht, J., & Bein, T. (2009). Biotin-Avidin as a Protease-Responsive Cap System for Controlled Guest Release from Colloidal Mesoporous Silica. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 48(17), 3092-3095. doi:10.1002/anie.200805818Park, C., Kim, H., Kim, S., & Kim, C. (2009). Enzyme Responsive Nanocontainers with Cyclodextrin Gatekeepers and Synergistic Effects in Release of Guests. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 131(46), 16614-16615. doi:10.1021/ja9061085Bernardos, A., Mondragón, L., Aznar, E., Marcos, M. D., Martínez-Máñez, R., Sancenón, F., … Amorós, P. (2010). Enzyme-Responsive Intracellular Controlled Release Using Nanometric Silica Mesoporous Supports Capped with «Saccharides». ACS Nano, 4(11), 6353-6368. doi:10.1021/nn101499dAgostini, A., Mondragón, L., Bernardos, A., Martínez-Máñez, R., Marcos, M. D., Sancenón, F., … Murguía, J. R. (2012). Targeted Cargo Delivery in Senescent Cells Using Capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 51(42), 10556-10560. doi:10.1002/anie.201204663Schlossbauer, A., Warncke, S., Gramlich, P. M. E., Kecht, J., Manetto, A., Carell, T., & Bein, T. (2010). A Programmable DNA-Based Molecular Valve for Colloidal Mesoporous Silica. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 49(28), 4734-4737. doi:10.1002/anie.201000827Climent, E., Bernardos, A., Martínez-Máñez, R., Maquieira, A., Marcos, M. D., Pastor-Navarro, N., … Amorós, P. (2009). Controlled Delivery Systems Using Antibody-Capped Mesoporous Nanocontainers. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 131(39), 14075-14080. doi:10.1021/ja904456dZhao, Y., Trewyn, B. G., Slowing, I. I., & Lin, V. S.-Y. (2009). Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle-Based Double Drug Delivery System for Glucose-Responsive Controlled Release of Insulin and Cyclic AMP. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 131(24), 8398-8400. doi:10.1021/ja901831uHolzinger, M., Bouffier, L., Villalonga, R., & Cosnier, S. (2009). Adamantane/β-cyclodextrin affinity biosensors based on single-walled carbon nanotubes. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 24(5), 1128-1134. doi:10.1016/j.bios.2008.06.029Oliver, N. S., Toumazou, C., Cass, A. E. G., & Johnston, D. G. (2009). Glucose sensors: a review of current and emerging technology. Diabetic Medicine, 26(3), 197-210. doi:10.1111/j.1464-5491.2008.02642.xWu, Q., Wang, L., Yu, H., Wang, J., & Chen, Z. (2011). Organization of Glucose-Responsive Systems and Their Properties. Chemical Reviews, 111(12), 7855-7875. doi:10.1021/cr200027jXu, Y., Pehrsson, P. E., Chen, L., Zhang, R., & Zhao, W. (2007). Double-Stranded DNA Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Hybrids for Optical Hydrogen Peroxide and Glucose Sensing. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 111(24), 8638-8643. doi:10.1021/jp0709611Song, C., Pehrsson, P. E., & Zhao, W. (2006). Optical enzymatic detection of glucose based on hydrogen peroxide-sensitive HiPco carbon nanotubes. Journal of Materials Research, 21(11), 2817-2823. doi:10.1557/jmr.2006.0343Badugu, R., Lakowicz, J. R., & Geddes, C. D. (2004). Noninvasive Continuous Monitoring of Physiological Glucose Using a Monosaccharide-Sensing Contact Lens. Analytical Chemistry, 76(3), 610-618. doi:10.1021/ac030372

Gated Mesoporous Silica Nanocarriers for a "two-Step" Targeted System to Colonic Tissue

[EN] Colon targeted drug delivery is highly relevant not only to treat colonic local diseases but also for systemic therapies. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been demonstrated as useful systems for controlled drug release given their biocompatibility and the possibility of designing gated systems able to release cargo only upon the presence of certain stimuli. We report herein the preparation of three gated MSNs able to deliver their cargo triggered by different stimuli (redox ambient (S1), enzymatic hydrolysis (S2), and a surfactant or being in contact with cell membrane (S3)) and their performance in solution and in vitro with Caco-2 cells. Safranin O dye was used as a model drug to track cargo fate. Studies of cargo permeability in Caco-2 monolayers demonstrated that intracellular safranin O levels were significantly higher in Caco-2 monolayers when using MSNs compared to those of free dye. Internalization assays indicated that S2 nanoparticles were taken up by cells via endocytosis. S2 nanoparticles were selected for in vivo tests in rats. For in vivo assays, capsules were filled with S2 nanoparticles and coated with Eudragit FS 30 D to target colon. The enteric coated capsule containing the MSNs was able to deliver S2 nanoparticles in colon tissue (first step), and then nanoparticles were able to deliver safranin O inside the colonic cells after the enzymatic stimuli (second step). This resulted in high levels of safranin O in colonic tissue combined with low dye levels in plasma and body tissues. The results suggested that this combination of enzyme-responsive gated MSNs and enteric coated capsules may improve the absorption of drugs in colon to treat local diseases with a reduction of systemic effects.The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Spanish Government (Projects MAT2015-64139-C4-1-R, SAF2016-78756 and AGL2015-70235-C2-2-R) and the Generalitat Valenciana (Project GVA/2014/13).Gonzalez-Alvarez, M.; Coll Merino, MC.; Gonzalez-Alvarez, I.; Giménez Morales, C.; Aznar, E.; Martínez-Bisbal, M.; Lozoya Agulló, I.... (2017). Gated Mesoporous Silica Nanocarriers for a "two-Step" Targeted System to Colonic Tissue. Molecular Pharmaceutics. 14(12):4442-4453. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.7b00565S44424453141

Targeting Innate Immunity with dsRNA-Conjugated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Promotes Antitumor Effects on Breast Cancer Cells

The authors describe herein a Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) targeting delivery system based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles capped with the synthetic double stranded RNA polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) for controlled cargo delivery in SK-BR-3 breast carcinoma cells. The authors' results show that poly(I:C)-conjugated nanoparticles efficiently targeted breast cancer cells due to dsRNA-TLR3 interaction. Such interaction also triggered apoptotic pathways in SK-BR-3, significantly decreasing cells viability. Poly(I:C) cytotoxic effect in breast carcinoma cells was enhanced by loading nanoparticles' mesopores with the anthracyclinic antibiotic doxorubicin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent.We thank the Spanish Government (projects SAF2010-21195 and MAT2012-38429-C04-01) and the Generalitat Valenciana (project PROMETEOII/2014/047) for support. A.U. and C.G. are grateful to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport for their doctoral fellowships. We thank J. M. Cosgaya and M. J. Latasa for helpful discussions.Ultimo, A.; Giménez Morales, C.; Bartovsky, P.; Aznar, E.; Sancenón Galarza, F.; Marcos Martínez, MD.; Amoros Del Toro, PJ.... (2016). Targeting Innate Immunity with dsRNA-Conjugated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Promotes Antitumor Effects on Breast Cancer Cells. Chemistry - A European Journal. 22(5):1582-1586. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201504629S15821586225Torre, L. A., Bray, F., Siegel, R. L., Ferlay, J., Lortet-Tieulent, J., & Jemal, A. (2015). Global cancer statistics, 2012. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 65(2), 87-108. doi:10.3322/caac.21262McGuire, A., Brown, J., Malone, C., McLaughlin, R., & Kerin, M. (2015). Effects of Age on the Detection and Management of Breast Cancer. Cancers, 7(2), 908-929. doi:10.3390/cancers7020815Stier, S., Maletzki, C., Klier, U., & Linnebacher, M. (2013). Combinations of TLR Ligands: A Promising Approach in Cancer Immunotherapy. Clinical and Developmental Immunology, 2013, 1-14. doi:10.1155/2013/271246Huang, B., Zhao, J., Li, H., He, K.-L., Chen, Y., Mayer, L., … Xiong, H. (2005). Toll-Like Receptors on Tumor Cells Facilitate Evasion of Immune Surveillance. Cancer Research, 65(12), 5009-5014. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.can-05-0784Salaun, B., Coste, I., Rissoan, M.-C., Lebecque, S. J., & Renno, T. (2006). TLR3 Can Directly Trigger Apoptosis in Human Cancer Cells. The Journal of Immunology, 176(8), 4894-4901. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.176.8.4894Salaun, B., Zitvogel, L., Asselin-Paturel, C., Morel, Y., Chemin, K., Dubois, C., … Andre, F. (2011). TLR3 as a Biomarker for the Therapeutic Efficacy of Double-stranded RNA in Breast Cancer. Cancer Research, 71(5), 1607-1614. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-3490Mal, N. K., Fujiwara, M., & Tanaka, Y. (2003). Photocontrolled reversible release of guest molecules from coumarin-modified mesoporous silica. Nature, 421(6921), 350-353. doi:10.1038/nature01362Casasús, R., Climent, E., Marcos, M. D., Martínez-Máñez, R., Sancenón, F., Soto, J., … Ruiz, E. (2008). Dual Aperture Control on pH- and Anion-Driven Supramolecular Nanoscopic Hybrid Gate-like Ensembles. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 130(6), 1903-1917. doi:10.1021/ja0756772Climent, E., Martínez-Máñez, R., Sancenón, F., Marcos, M. D., Soto, J., Maquieira, A., & Amorós, P. (2010). Controlled Delivery Using Oligonucleotide-Capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 49(40), 7281-7283. doi:10.1002/anie.201001847Climent, E., Martínez-Máñez, R., Sancenón, F., Marcos, M. D., Soto, J., Maquieira, A., & Amorós, P. (2010). Controlled Delivery Using Oligonucleotide-Capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles. Angewandte Chemie, 122(40), 7439-7441. doi:10.1002/ange.201001847Lai, C.-Y., Trewyn, B. G., Jeftinija, D. M., Jeftinija, K., Xu, S., Jeftinija, S., & Lin, V. S.-Y. (2003). A Mesoporous Silica Nanosphere-Based Carrier System with Chemically Removable CdS Nanoparticle Caps for Stimuli-Responsive Controlled Release of Neurotransmitters and Drug Molecules. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 125(15), 4451-4459. doi:10.1021/ja028650lLiu, R., Liao, P., Liu, J., & Feng, P. (2011). Responsive Polymer-Coated Mesoporous Silica as a pH-Sensitive Nanocarrier for Controlled Release. Langmuir, 27(6), 3095-3099. doi:10.1021/la104973jPark, C., Oh, K., Lee, S. C., & Kim, C. (2007). Controlled Release of Guest Molecules from Mesoporous Silica Particles Based on a pH-Responsive Polypseudorotaxane Motif. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 46(9), 1455-1457. doi:10.1002/anie.200603404Park, C., Oh, K., Lee, S. C., & Kim, C. (2007). Controlled Release of Guest Molecules from Mesoporous Silica Particles Based on a pH-Responsive Polypseudorotaxane Motif. Angewandte Chemie, 119(9), 1477-1479. doi:10.1002/ange.200603404Aznar, E., Mondragón, L., Ros-Lis, J. V., Sancenón, F., Marcos, M. D., Martínez-Máñez, R., … Amorós, P. (2011). Finely Tuned Temperature-Controlled Cargo Release Using Paraffin-Capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 50(47), 11172-11175. doi:10.1002/anie.201102756Aznar, E., Mondragón, L., Ros-Lis, J. V., Sancenón, F., Marcos, M. D., Martínez-Máñez, R., … Amorós, P. (2011). Finely Tuned Temperature-Controlled Cargo Release Using Paraffin-Capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles. Angewandte Chemie, 123(47), 11368-11371. doi:10.1002/ange.201102756Bringas, E., Köysüren, Ö., Quach, D. V., Mahmoudi, M., Aznar, E., Roehling, J. D., … Stroeve, P. (2012). Triggered release in lipid bilayer-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles containing SPION using an alternating magnetic field. Chemical Communications, 48(45), 5647. doi:10.1039/c2cc31563gFu, Q., Rao, G. V. R., Ista, L. K., Wu, Y., Andrzejewski, B. P., Sklar, L. A., … López, G. P. (2003). Control of Molecular Transport Through Stimuli-Responsive Ordered Mesoporous Materials. Advanced Materials, 15(15), 1262-1266. doi:10.1002/adma.200305165Bernardos, A., Mondragón, L., Aznar, E., Marcos, M. D., Martínez-Máñez, R., Sancenón, F., … Amorós, P. (2010). Enzyme-Responsive Intracellular Controlled Release Using Nanometric Silica Mesoporous Supports Capped with «Saccharides». ACS Nano, 4(11), 6353-6368. doi:10.1021/nn101499dCliment, E., Bernardos, A., Martínez-Máñez, R., Maquieira, A., Marcos, M. D., Pastor-Navarro, N., … Amorós, P. (2009). Controlled Delivery Systems Using Antibody-Capped Mesoporous Nanocontainers. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 131(39), 14075-14080. doi:10.1021/ja904456dPark, C., Kim, H., Kim, S., & Kim, C. (2009). Enzyme Responsive Nanocontainers with Cyclodextrin Gatekeepers and Synergistic Effects in Release of Guests. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 131(46), 16614-16615. doi:10.1021/ja9061085Patel, K., Angelos, S., Dichtel, W. R., Coskun, A., Yang, Y.-W., Zink, J. I., & Stoddart, J. F. (2008). Enzyme-Responsive Snap-Top Covered Silica Nanocontainers. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 130(8), 2382-2383. doi:10.1021/ja0772086Schlossbauer, A., Kecht, J., & Bein, T. (2009). Biotin-Avidin as a Protease-Responsive Cap System for Controlled Guest Release from Colloidal Mesoporous Silica. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 48(17), 3092-3095. doi:10.1002/anie.200805818Schlossbauer, A., Kecht, J., & Bein, T. (2009). Biotin-Avidin as a Protease-Responsive Cap System for Controlled Guest Release from Colloidal Mesoporous Silica. Angewandte Chemie, 121(17), 3138-3141. doi:10.1002/ange.200805818Schlossbauer, A., Warncke, S., Gramlich, P. M. E., Kecht, J., Manetto, A., Carell, T., & Bein, T. (2010). A Programmable DNA-Based Molecular Valve for Colloidal Mesoporous Silica. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 49(28), 4734-4737. doi:10.1002/anie.201000827Schlossbauer, A., Warncke, S., Gramlich, P. M. E., Kecht, J., Manetto, A., Carell, T., & Bein, T. (2010). Ein programmierbares, DNA-basiertes molekulares Ventil für kolloidales, mesoporöses Siliciumoxid. Angewandte Chemie, 122(28), 4842-4845. doi:10.1002/ange.201000827Agostini, A., Mondragón, L., Pascual, L., Aznar, E., Coll, C., Martínez-Máñez, R., … Gil, S. (2012). Design of Enzyme-Mediated Controlled Release Systems Based on Silica Mesoporous Supports Capped with Ester-Glycol Groups. Langmuir, 28(41), 14766-14776. doi:10.1021/la303161eKresge, C. T., Leonowicz, M. E., Roth, W. J., Vartuli, J. C., & Beck, J. S. (1992). Ordered mesoporous molecular sieves synthesized by a liquid-crystal template mechanism. Nature, 359(6397), 710-712. doi:10.1038/359710a0Knežević, N. Ž., & Durand, J.-O. (2015). Targeted Treatment of Cancer with Nanotherapeutics Based on Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles. ChemPlusChem, 80(1), 26-36. doi:10.1002/cplu.201402369Peer, D., Karp, J. M., Hong, S., Farokhzad, O. C., Margalit, R., & Langer, R. (2007). Nanocarriers as an emerging platform for cancer therapy. Nature Nanotechnology, 2(12), 751-760. doi:10.1038/nnano.2007.387Petros, R. A., & DeSimone, J. M. (2010). Strategies in the design of nanoparticles for therapeutic applications. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 9(8), 615-627. doi:10.1038/nrd2591Wagner, V., Dullaart, A., Bock, A.-K., & Zweck, A. (2006). The emerging nanomedicine landscape. Nature Biotechnology, 24(10), 1211-1217. doi:10.1038/nbt1006-1211Agostini, A., Mondragón, L., Bernardos, A., Martínez-Máñez, R., Marcos, M. D., Sancenón, F., … Murguía, J. R. (2012). Targeted Cargo Delivery in Senescent Cells Using Capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 51(42), 10556-10560. doi:10.1002/anie.201204663Agostini, A., Mondragón, L., Bernardos, A., Martínez-Máñez, R., Marcos, M. D., Sancenón, F., … Murguía, J. R. (2012). Targeted Cargo Delivery in Senescent Cells Using Capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles. Angewandte Chemie, 124(42), 10708-10712. doi:10.1002/ange.201204663Xie, M., Shi, H., Li, Z., Shen, H., Ma, K., Li, B., … Jin, Y. (2013). A multifunctional mesoporous silica nanocomposite for targeted delivery, controlled release of doxorubicin and bioimaging. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 110, 138-147. doi:10.1016/j.colsurfb.2013.04.009Wang, Y., Shi, W., Song, W., Wang, L., Liu, X., Chen, J., & Huang, R. (2012). Tumor cell targeted delivery by specific peptide-modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 22(29), 14608. doi:10.1039/c2jm32398bFerris, D. P., Lu, J., Gothard, C., Yanes, R., Thomas, C. R., Olsen, J.-C., … Zink, J. I. (2011). Synthesis of Biomolecule-Modified Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Targeted Hydrophobic Drug Delivery to Cancer Cells. Small, 7(13), 1816-1826. doi:10.1002/smll.201002300Tsai, C.-P., Chen, C.-Y., Hung, Y., Chang, F.-H., & Mou, C.-Y. (2009). Monoclonal antibody-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) for selective targeting breast cancer cells. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 19(32), 5737. doi:10.1039/b905158aBernardo, A. R., Cosgaya, J. M., Aranda, A., & Jiménez-Lara, A. M. (2013). Synergy between RA and TLR3 promotes type I IFN-dependent apoptosis through upregulation of TRAIL pathway in breast cancer cells. Cell Death & Disease, 4(1), e479-e479. doi:10.1038/cddis.2013.5Patel, S., Sprung, A. U., Keller, B. A., Heaton, V. J., & Fisher, L. M. (1997). Identification of Yeast DNA Topoisomerase II Mutants Resistant to the Antitumor Drug Doxorubicin: Implications for the Mechanisms of Doxorubicin Action and Cytotoxicity. Molecular Pharmacology, 52(4), 658-666. doi:10.1124/mol.52.4.658Lyu, Y. L., Kerrigan, J. E., Lin, C.-P., Azarova, A. M., Tsai, Y.-C., Ban, Y., & Liu, L. F. (2007). Topoisomerase II  Mediated DNA Double-Strand Breaks: Implications in Doxorubicin Cardiotoxicity and Prevention by Dexrazoxane. Cancer Research, 67(18), 8839-8846. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.can-07-1649Galluzzi, L., Vacchelli, E., Eggermont, A., Fridman, W. H., Galon, J., Sautès-Fridman, C., … Kroemer, G. (2012). Trial Watch. OncoImmunology, 1(5), 699-739. doi:10.4161/onci.20696Paone, A., Starace, D., Galli, R., Padula, F., De Cesaris, P., Filippini, A., … Riccioli, A. (2008). Toll-like receptor 3 triggers apoptosis of human prostate cancer cells through a PKC- -dependent mechanism. Carcinogenesis, 29(7), 1334-1342. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgn14

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus-Report 2: Diabetic Kidney Disease.

The purpose of this study is to investigate potential associations between optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) parameters and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) categories in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients and controls. A complete ocular and systemic examination, including OCTA imaging tests and bloods, was performed. OCTA parameters included vessel density (VD), perfusion density (PD), foveal avascular zone area (FAZa), perimeter (FAZp) and circularity (FAZc) in the superficial vascular plexus, and DKD categories were defined according to glomerular filtration rate (GFR), albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) and KDIGO prognosis risk classifications. A total of 425 individuals (1 eye/1 patient) were included. Reduced VD and FAZc were associated with greater categories of GFR (p = 0.002, p = 0.04), ACR (p = 0.003, p = 0.005) and KDIGO risk prognosis classifications (p = 0.002, p = 0.005). FAZc was significantly reduced in greater KDIGO prognosis risk categories (low risk vs. moderate risk, 0.65 ± 0.09 vs. 0.60 ± 0.07, p < 0.05). VD and FAZc presented the best diagnostic performance in ROCs. In conclusion, OCTA parameters, such as VD and FAZc, are able to detect different GFR, ACR, and KDIGO categories in T1DM patients and controls in a non-invasive, objective quantitative way. FAZc is able to discriminate within T1DM patients those with greater DKD categories and greater risk of DKD progression

Gated mesoporous silica nanoparticles for the controlled delivery of drugs in cancer cells

In recent years, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been used as effective supports for the development of controlled-release nanodevices that are able to act as multifunctional delivery platforms for the encapsulation of therapeutic agents, enhancing their bioavailability and overcoming common issues such as poor water solubility and poor stability of some drugs. In particular, redox-responsive delivery systems have attracted the attention of scientists because of the intracellular reductive environment related to a high concentration of glutathione (GSH). In this context, we describe herein the development of a GSH-responsive delivery system based on poly(ethylene glycol)- (PEG-) capped MSNs that are able to deliver safranin O and doxorubicin in a controlled manner. The results showed that the PEG-capped systems designed in this work can be maintained closed at low GSH concentrations, yet the cargo can be delivered when the concentration of GSH is increased. Moreover, the efficacy of the PEG-capped system in delivering the cytotoxic agent doxorubicin in cells was also demonstrated.The authors thank the Spanish Government (Project MAT2012-38429-C04-01), the Generalitat Valenciana (Project PROMETEOII/2014/047), and the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (Project SP20120795) for support. C.G. and C.d.l.T also thank the Spanish Ministry of Education for their FPU grants. The authors also thank UPV electron microscopy and CIPF confocal microscopy services for technical support.Giménez Morales, C.; De La Torre, C.; Gorbe, M.; Aznar, E.; Sancenón Galarza, F.; Murguía, JR.; Martínez-Máñez, R.... (2015). Gated mesoporous silica nanoparticles for the controlled delivery of drugs in cancer cells. Langmuir. 31(12):3753-3762. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b00139S37533762311

Self-Immolative Linkers as Caps for the Design of Gated Silica Mesoporous Supports

A new hybrid material based on sulforhodamine-B dye-loaded silica mesoporous nanoparticles capped with a self-immolative gate has been synthesized and characterized. The gated material's controlled release behavior is monitored under different pH conditions. Under acidic and neutral conditions, a low level of dye release is detected. However, at slightly basic pH, significant dye release occurs owing to deprotonation of the phenol moiety in the capping molecule, which results in its disassembly.We thank MINECO/FEDER (MAT2015-64139-C4-1-R and MAT2015-64139-C4-4-R) and Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEOII/2014/047) for support. SCSIE (Universidad de Valencia) is gratefully acknowledged for all the equipment employed.Juarez, LA.; Añón, E.; Giménez Morales, C.; Sancenón Galarza, F.; Martínez-Máñez, R.; Costero Nieto, AM.; Gaviña, P.... (2016). Self-Immolative Linkers as Caps for the Design of Gated Silica Mesoporous Supports. Chemistry - A European Journal. 22(40):14126-14130. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201602126S1412614130224

Innovación y estrategias de intervención en acoso escolar

Los problemas de convivencia escolar, violencia escolar, bullying y cyberbullying, en los centros españoles son una realidad y, por tanto, es necesario que los futuros docentes cuenten con estrategias específicas para el abordaje de estas situaciones cuando se enfrenten a la realidad de las aulas. En este manual, profesionales del área de la convivencia escolar presentan las actuaciones, programas y herramientas disponibles que en estos momentos se están poniendo en práctica en los centros escolares con resultados positivos. Así, se pretende ampliar el conocimiento teórico-práctico en el ámbito de la convivencia, gestión de conflictos y violencia escolar.EducaciónPsicologí

Implantación de una Unidad de Enlace Centralizada de Vacunación contra la COVID-19 gestionada por farmacéuticos-farmacólogos de Atención Primaria

Introducción: La Unidad de Enlace Centralizada de Vacunación contra la COVID19 (UECeV) de la Dirección de Atención Primaria Metropolitana Nord del Institut Català de la Salut se creó para resolver las consultas de usuarios y/o profesionales sanitarios relacionadas con la vacunación contra el virus SARS-CoV-2. El objetivo principal del presente análisis fue describir la actividad de la UECeV. Método: Realizamos un estudio observacional retrospectivo a partir del registro de consultas atendidas desde la UECeV entre 31 de abril y 31 de octubre de 2021. Población de referencia: 1.139.411 habitantes adultos asignados. La UECeV se creó en tres sedes territoriales atendidas cada una por dos farmacéuticos/farmacólogos de Atención Primaria (FAP) y un administrativo. La atención telefónica fue a jornada completa adaptable según actividad. Variable principal del análisis: número y tipos de consultas atendidas. Se calculó valores absolutos y porcentajes, medianas y desviación estándar para las variables cuantitativas y para las variables cualitativas se realizó un análisis descriptivo. Resultados: 3.103 consultas gestionadas de 3.030 usuarios; 2.180 (70,25%) contestadas por el FAP. Consulta más frecuente: compatibilidad vacuna según patología/medicación de base 1.008 (32,5%). 2.830 (93,4%) usuarios se vacunaron después de la intervención (2.210 consultaron antes de la primera dosis y 618 antes de la segunda). La vacuna mayoritaria fue la Comirnaty®.  Conclusiones: Las UECeV coordinadas por el FAP con atención directa a los usuarios y/o profesionales sanitarios constituyen un elemento de apoyo a los equipos de vacunación de atención primaria para la gestión experta de las consultas de vacunación contra la COVID19

Implantación de una Unidad de Enlace Centralizada de Vacunación contra la COVID-19 gestionada por farmacéuticos-farmacólogos de Atención Primaria

Introducción: La Unidad de Enlace Centralizada de Vacunación contra la COVID19 (UECeV) de la Dirección de Atención Primaria Metropolitana Nord del Institut Català de la Salut se creó para resolver las consultas de usuarios y/o profesionales sanitarios relacionadas con la vacunación contra el virus SARS-CoV-2. El objetivo principal del presente análisis fue describir la actividad de la UECeV. Método: Realizamos un estudio observacional retrospectivo a partir del registro de consultas atendidas desde la UECeV entre 31 de abril y 31 de octubre de 2021. Población de referencia: 1.139.411 habitantes adultos asignados. La UECeV se creó en tres sedes territoriales atendidas cada una por dos farmacéuticos/farmacólogos de Atención Primaria (FAP) y un administrativo. La atención telefónica fue a jornada completa adaptable según actividad. Variable principal del análisis: número y tipos de consultas atendidas. Se calculó valores absolutos y porcentajes, medianas y desviación estándar para las variables cuantitativas y para las variables cualitativas se realizó un análisis descriptivo. Resultados: 3.103 consultas gestionadas de 3.030 usuarios; 2.180 (70,25%) contestadas por el FAP. Consulta más frecuente: compatibilidad vacuna según patología/medicación de base 1.008 (32,5%). 2.830 (93,4%) usuarios se vacunaron después de la intervención (2.210 consultaron antes de la primera dosis y 618 antes de la segunda). La vacuna mayoritaria fue la Comirnaty®.  Conclusiones: Las UECeV coordinadas por el FAP con atención directa a los usuarios y/o profesionales sanitarios constituyen un elemento de apoyo a los equipos de vacunación de atención primaria para la gestión experta de las consultas de vacunación contra la COVID19