In Vitro Antitumor and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Allium-Derived Compounds Propyl Propane Thiosulfonate (PTSO) and Propyl Propane Thiosulfinate (PTS)

Increasing rates of cancer incidence and the side-effects of current chemotherapeutic treatments have led to the research on novel anticancer products based on dietary compounds. The use of Allium metabolites and extracts has been proposed to reduce the proliferation of tumor cells by several mechanisms. In this study, we have shown the in vitro anti-proliferative and antiinflammatory effect of two onion-derived metabolites propyl propane thiosulfinate (PTS) and propyl propane thiosulfonate (PTSO) on several human tumor lines (MCF-7, T-84, A-549, HT-29, Panc-1, Jurkat, PC-3, SW-837, and T1-73). We observed that this effect was related to their ability to induce apoptosis regulated by oxidative stress. In addition, both compounds were also able to reduce the levels of some pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-8, IL-6, and IL-17. Therefore, PTS and PTSO may have a promising role in cancer prevention and/or treatmentMISIONES-CDTI program (CDTI, Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology; CULTUREDMEAT Project)Junta de Andalucia PI19/01058Instituto de Salud Carlos III MIG-2020101European CommissionInstituto de Salud Carlos III CTS 164 IFI21/0003

Optimization of Green Building Design Processes: Case Studies within the European Union

[EN] Green buildings have recently become a key aspect of the construction field and bring along a renovation of the whole industry chain. Such changes introduce new challenges for all subjects involved, and designers are also a ected by such issues, especially for the development of projects based on international green building standards. Within this scope, project management plays a key role in the optimization of the design phase. This research analyzes the design process of international projects fromthe project management perspective through a multiple case study approach, considering the sustainability-related tasks that negatively a ect the project design development under two types of contractual approaches: Design-Build and Design-Bid-Build. It aims to identify whether the Design-Build or Design-Bid-Build process is the best solution for developing green building projects. Two case studies in Italy and two case studies in Spain are analyzed, and the e ects of the project management issues are evaluated under three di erent points of view: Time, cost, and level of sustainability of the building. A poorly planned process for the achievement of the various green building features of the project can impact the project schedule and the budget, whereas, a poorly managed project could also negatively impact its green building features. Finally, this research also highlights the positive relationship between process integration and green building design development.Orsi, A.; Guillén Guillamón, IE.; Pellicer, E. (2020). Optimization of Green Building Design Processes: Case Studies within the European Union. Sustainability. 12(6):1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/su1206227611612

High growth firms in employment and productivity : dynamic interactions and the role of financial constraints

En este artículo se investigan las posibles interacciones entre episodios de alto crecimiento de las empresas en tamaño y en productividad, utilizando un panel de empresas españolas que comprende el período 2002-2012. Encontramos que alto crecimiento en productividad (tamaño) incrementa las posibilidades de tener alto crecimiento en tamaño (productividad). Sin embargo, el efecto de tamaño a productividad es menor que de productividad a tamaño. Además, exploramos el posible papel desempeñado por las restricciones financieras a nivel de empresa, utilizando información procedente de la Central de Información de Riesgos (CIR) del Banco de España. Nuestros resultados sugieren que las restricciones financieras dificultan los episodios de alto crecimiento tanto de empleo como de productividadUsing a panel of Spanish firms over the period 2002-2012, we investigate the interactions between high growth episodes in terms of size and productivity. We find that high growth in productivity (size) increases the likelihood of high growth in size (productivity). However, the effect from size to productivity is smaller than the effect from productivity to size. We also explore the potential role of firm-level financial constraints using information from the Central Credit Register (CIR) of Banco de España. Our results indicate that credit constraints hamper high growth episodes in terms of both size and productivit

Improving Green Building Project Management Processes through the Lean Approach

[EN] Question: Using a Lean approach to classify issues, or wastes, experienced during the different design processes, what sustainability-related activities affect the project design development stage. Purpose: The objective of this paper is to create a new lean-based approach to analyze the design process and quantify the negative effect of detected project-management issues on the project's main resources, categorized through three different variables: costs, time and sustainability. Research Method: The research makes full use of a Lean approach intended as a standardized method to identify project wastes, classify the issues experienced during the different design processes and ultimately propose possible solutions for process optimization. The Lean approach was used as the basis to study four case studies wherein real projects were developed in different European countries under the LEED and BREEAM reference standards. The projects were analyzed against a set of guidelines developed by the Researchers with the aim of avoiding the replication of such issues in future projects. The analysis took into consideration all sustainability-related activities that affected the project design development. Findings: By identifying and estimating the effects of each issue on the project variables, researchers could rank their negative impact on the project budget, schedule and level of sustainability. The ranking allowed isolating which issues, or categories of issues, had the worst impact on the overall project from both qualitative and quantitative points of view. These research goals were achieved through the implementation of the Lean method and philosophy. Limitations: Among the main challenges related to time-variance analysis. Estimating the delay of single activities impact was sometimes difficult and ambiguous because it relied on other activities for which dependency could not be calculated. Limitations related to cost-variance analysis involved indirect costs that were difficult to estimate because they were neither related to any written document nor any formal activity or event of the project. The present research takes into consideration only four case-study projects and therefore the related conclusions cannot be generalized for all building projects. Implications: Applying the ranking of the issues identifies to a real project development with limited resources, it would be possible to highlight which problems should be addressed first in order to avoid, or at least limit, their negative impact on the project establishing a set of guidelines for future projects. Value for authors: This study sets the basis for several other research studies in relationship with green-building developments and lean approach.Orsi, A.; Abdelhamid, TS.; Pellicer, E.; Guillén Guillamón, IE. (2021). Improving Green Building Project Management Processes through the Lean Approach. Lean Construction Journal. 2021:156-179. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/190602156179202

Beneficial Effects of Organosulfur Compounds from Allium cepa on Gut Health: A Systematic Review

Dietary changes affect the composition and structure of gut microbiota (GM) in animals and humans. One of the beneficial effects of consuming products derived from plants is the positive influence on immunity and gastrointestinal health. Species belonging to the genus Allium contain many organosulfur compounds (OSCs) that have been widely studied showing their biological properties and beneficial effects on intestinal health and GM. This is the first systematic review of OSCs from Allium performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and it is based on the evidence that we found in literature about the benefits on the GM and intestinal health demonstrated by OSCs from Allium, and specifically from onion. OSCs from Allium cepa have shown a significant antibacterial activity against a broad spectrum of antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, the intake of OSCs from onion was able to modulate the composition of GM, increasing the beneficial bacterial populations in animal models. Moreover, the beneficial effects observed in murine models of colitis suggest that these compounds could be suitable candidates for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or reverse the dysbiosis caused by a high-fat diet (HFD). Despite the evidence found both in vitro and in vivo, we have not found any article that tested OSCs different from allicin in clinical trials or dietary intervention studies in humans. In this sense, it would be interesting to conduct new research that tests the benefits of these compounds in human GM

The First 3D-Printed Building in Spain: A Study on Its Acoustic, Thermal and Environmental Performance

[EN] The first 3D-printed building in Spain is the object of this study, and it is presented and physically described herein from different points of view. This study combines on-site measurements, simulations, and a life cycle assessment to assess some relevant parameters concerning the acoustic, thermal and environmental performance of the 3D-printed house. The main objectives are to analyze whether the house complies with the acoustic and thermal regulations and to assess whether it can act as a sustainable alternative to conventional masonry construction, especially when time plays an important role. The build surface (3D prototype) of the house is approximately 23 m2. The internal space includes a living room (12.35 m2), a bedroom (7.36 m2) and a bathroom (3.16 m2). The total surface of the house is 22.87 m2 and it has a volume of 64.03 m3. The acoustic insulation was measured according to the ISO 9869-1:2014 standard. In terms of the acoustic insulation, the sound reduction index was tested following the guidelines of the ISO 140-5:1999 standard. Additionally, the study includes a comparative life cycle assessment comparing the 3D-printed façade with two conventional wall typologies. The 3D-printed house displays an excellent thermal performance, with a measured thermal transmittance of 0.24 Wm¿2K¿1, suitable for all Spanish climate zones. Regarding the acoustic insulation, the measured global sound reduction indexes of the façades range from 36 to 45 dB, which is adequate for areas with noise levels of up to 75 dB. The environmental results indicate that 3D-printed façade manufacturing emits 30% more CO2e than a façade constructed using concrete blocks and 2% less than a masonry block wall. Overall, this study shows that, in addition to its multiple advantages in terms of the construction time, the studied 3Dprinted house has similar acoustic, thermal and environmental traits to the most common construction typologies. However, it cannot be considered a sustainable construction method due to its high amount of cement.Salandin, A.; Quintana-Gallardo, A.; Gómez Lozano, V.; Guillén Guillamón, IE. (2022). The First 3D-Printed Building in Spain: A Study on Its Acoustic, Thermal and Environmental Performance. Sustainability. 14(20):1-21. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013204121142

Analysis of Four Polymorphisms Located at the Promoter of the Estrogen Receptor Alpha ESR1 Gene in a Population With Gender Incongruence

[Abstract] Introduction: Gender incongruence defines a state in which individuals feel discrepancy between the sex assigned at birth and their gender. Some of these people make a social transition from male to female (transwomen) or from female to male (trans men). By contrast, the word cisgender describes a person whose gender identity is consistent with their sex assigned at birth. Aim: To analyze the implication of the estrogen receptor a gene (ESR1) in the genetic basis of gender incongruence. Main Outcome Measures: Polymorphisms rs9478245, rs3138774, rs2234693, rs9340799. Method: We carried out the analysis of 4 polymorphisms located at the promoter of the ESR1 gene (C1 ¼ rs9478245, C2 ¼ rs3138774, C3 ¼ rs2234693, and C4 ¼ rs9340799) in a population of 273 trans women, 226 trans men, and 537 cis gender controls. For SNP polymorphisms, the allele and genotype frequencies were analyzed by c2 test. The strength of the SNP associations with gender incongruence was measured by binary logistic regression. For the STR polymorphism, the mean number of repeats were analyzed by the ManneWhitney U test. Measurement of linkage disequilibrium and haplotype frequencies were also performed. Results: The C2 median repeats were shorter in the trans men population. Genotypes S/S and S/L for the C2 polymorphism were overrepresented in the trans men group (P ¼ .012 and P ¼ .003 respectively). We also found overtransmission of the A/A genotype (C4) in the trans men population (P ¼ .017), while the A/G genotype (C4) was subrepresented (P ¼ .009]. The analyzed polymorphisms were in linkage disequilibrium. In the trans men population, the T(C1)-L(C2)-C(C3)-A(C4) haplotype was overrepresented (P ¼ .019) while the T(C1)-L(C2)-C(C3)-G(C4) was subrepresented (P ¼ .005). Conclusion: The ESR1 is associated with gender incongruence in the trans men populationThis work was supported by grants: ED431B 019/02 (EP), PGC2018-094919-B-C21 (AG), PGC2018-094919-B-C22 (RF), and FPU 15/02558 (JCC)Xunta de Galicia; ED431B 019/0

So Similar, So Different: Diving in the Physical and Acoustic Features of Two theatres. A Case Study

[EN] The study of the acoustic conditions of Concert Halls, Theatres, and Opera House offers the possibility of understanding better the behavior of those spaces. Many researchers have dealt with the physical and acoustic characteristics of landmark venues that host live performances, but many of them still need to be characterized and studied. The present work aims to perform a comparative analysis of two theatres. We have chosen two theatres with similar characteristics except one, the volume of the main hall in this case: the Olympia Theatre and the Talia Theatre, both located in the city of Valencia (Spain). We want to get deeper into the factors that influence how a certain space sounds. More specifically, the ratios between stage area and audience area. We have collected geometrical data of both spaces, such as room volume, fly-tower volume, audience surface, stage surface, stage opening surface area, acoustical surface area, etc.; and material and architectural detail data to determine the absorption coefficient of the different surfaces of the space. Moreover, we will conduct acoustical measurements surveys in both theaters. To summarize, we will work in a three-axis strategy: geometric, acoustic absorption and onsite analytic data, to evaluate the influence of the different parameters in the acoustic behavior of the room and the relationships between them.Pérez-Aguilar, B.; Quintana-Gallardo, A.; Llopis Reyna, A.; Guillén Guillamón, IE. (2021). So Similar, So Different: Diving in the Physical and Acoustic Features of Two theatres. A Case Study. Archidoct. The e-journal for the dissemination of doctoral research in architecture. 17(1):1-11. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/19060311117

Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of gypsum plasterboard and a new kind of bio-based epoxy composite containing different natural fibers

[DE] A comparative LCA from cradle to grave between traditional plasterboard, for drywall applications, and different composite boards, made by natural fiber and a bio-based epoxy resin (Supersap CLR), was carried out. The goal of the study was to determine whether the composites based on such a resin combined with natural fibers could be an eco-friendly alternative to plasterboard in the building sector. Moreover, the impacts related to each of the fibers used are also assessed separately from cradle to gate in order to get a better understanding of its influence. Both the results obtained through the IPC. GWP 100a method and the recipe endpoint show a remarkable difference between the plasterboard and all the different composites, the composites offering a 50% reduction in the CO2 emissions. The calculations performed regarding the impacts related to the different fibers showed only small differences between them.The authors gratefully thank the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, for funding the project BIA2013-41537-R (BIAEFIREMAT 'Development of new sustainable eco-materials and building systems for the building industry, based on the use of residues and renewable raw materials'). The project is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and it is included in the R+D National Programme for Research Aimed at the Challenges of Society.Quintana, A.; Alba Fernández, J.; Rey Tormos, RMD.; Guillén Guillamón, IE. (2018). Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of gypsum plasterboard and a new kind of bio-based epoxy composite containing different natural fibers. Journal of Cleaner Production. 185:408-420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.03.042S40842018

Thermal behavior analysis of different multilayer façade: Numerical model versus experimental prototype

[EN] In this paper, different sorts of façades have been analyzed considering their thermal performance along a 24 h period. A numerical model was developed and compared with experimental measurements considering two different façades for buildings: on one side an opaque multilayer façade; and on the other side, a ventilated façade. The numerical model representing the temperature in every layer of the façades was successfully validated. This model was used for determining the thermal behavior of two new ventilated façades in which the thermal mass had been changed, observing then that the existence of the movements in the air gap affected particularly the air temperature and the thermal transmittance of the façade while the sun hitting the façade, leading to a reduction of transmittance close to 30% along the air chamber. This effect is very important in warm climates and becomes a key-factor for decreasing the cooling needs of buildings in summer with no need of increasing the mass of the façadeThe evaluation of the different facade systems, by modifying multilayer sandwich panels was performed in the framework of the E3 EDIFICACION ECO EFICIENTE project. The research project was cofounded by CDTI and a consortium of companies formed by BECSA, CERACASA, Rockwool Peninsular, ATERSA and APLICAD.Guillén Guillamón, IE.; Gómez Lozano, V.; Fran Bretones, JM.; López Jiménez, PA. (2014). Thermal behavior analysis of different multilayer façade: Numerical model versus experimental prototype. Energy and Buildings. 79:184-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.05.006S1841907