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

MoS2-Carbon Nanodots as a New Electrochemiluminescence Platform for Breast Cancer Biomarker Detection

In this work, we present the combination of two different types of nanomaterials, 2D molybdenum disulfide nanosheets (MoS2-NS) and zero-dimensional carbon nanodots (CDs), for the development of a new electrochemiluminescence (ECL) platform for the early detection and quantification of the biomarker human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), whose overexpression is associated with breast cancer. MoS2-NS are used as an immobilization platform for the thiolated aptamer, which can recognize the HER2 epitope peptide with high affinity, and CDs act as coreactants of the anodic oxidation of the luminophore [Ru(bpy)3]2+. The HER2 biomarker is detected by changes in the ECL signal of the [Ru(bpy)3]2+/CD system, with a low detection limit of 1.84 fg/mL and a wide linear range. The proposed method has been successfully applied to detect the HER2 biomarker in human serum samplesThis work has been financially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (PID2020-116728RB-I00, PID2020-116661RB-I00, CTQ2015-71955-REDT (ELECTROBIONET)), Community of Madrid (TRANSNANOAVANSENS, S2018/NMT-4349, and FotoArt (P2018/NMT4367), project S2018/NMT-4291 TEC2SPACE), MINECO (project CSIC13-4E-1794) and EU (FEDER, FSE). IMDEA Nanociencia receives support from the “Severo Ochoa” Programme for Centres of Excellence in R&D (MINECO, Grant CEX2020-001039-S)

Ocular findings in Fabry disease in Colombian patients

La enfermedad de Fabry es un raro trastorno ligado al cromosoma X causado por deficiencia de la enzima alfa-galactosidasa y la consiguiente y progresiva acumulacion lisosomica de glucoesfingolipidos, especialmente la globotriaosilceramida, en multiples tejidos del organismo, incluido el ojo.En este reporte se presenta la primera serie de casos de manifestaciones oculares de la enfermedad de Fabry en Colombia, resaltando la importancia de los signos oculares como ayuda para el diagnostico temprano.Se presentan cinco casos de la enfermedad en Bogota y se da cuenta de las historias clinicas y los examenes oftalmologicos y de optometria, y se incluyen fotografias. En todos los pacientes se hallaron errores de refraccion y se evidencio el patron de cornea verticillata. Cuatro pacientes presentaban depositos de color cafe y castano claro en la capsula posterior del cristalino, y cuatro tenian tortuosidad vascular conjuntival y retiniana.El examen oftalmologico completo es importante para hacer un diagnostico oportuno con el fin de iniciar el tratamiento multidisciplinario y reducir la morbimortalidad.Fabry disease is a rare X-linked disorder caused by an alpha-galactosidase enzyme deficiency, which leads to a progressive lysosomal glycosphingolipids accumulation, mainly globotriaosylceramide, in multiple organism tissues including the eye. This case series describes the first ophthalmological Colombian report of Fabry disease highlighting the importance of ocular signs as markers of the disease, useful in diagnosis and treatment to avoid long-term complications that lead to a morbi-mortality increment. We describe five cases of Fabry disease from Bogota, Colombia, including a complete clinical history, ophthalmologic, optometric examination, and photographs. We found that all patients had refractive defects and that in all cases corneal verticillata pattern was found. Four patients presented with posterior capsule lens brown-beige deposits and four patients had conjunctival and retinal tortuous vessels. A complete ophthalmologic examination is important for prompt diagnosis, which is key to starting a multidisciplinary treatment and reducing morbi-mortality

Pathogen sensing device based on 2D MoS2/graphene heterostructure

In this work we propose a new methodology for selective and sensitive pathogen detection based on a 2D layered heterostructured biosensing platform. As a proof of concept, we have chosen SARS-CoV-2 virus because the availability of new methods to detect this virus is still a great deal of interest. The prepared platform is based on the covalent immobilization of molybdenum disulphide functionalized with a diazonium salt (f-MoS2) onto graphene screen-printed electrodes (GPH SPE) by electrografting of the diazonium salt. This chemistry-based method generates an improved heterostructured biosensing platform for aptamer immobilization and aptasensor development. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is used to obtain the signal response of the device, proving the ability of the sensor platform to detect the virus. SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD recombinant protein (SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein) has been detected and quantified with a low detection limit of 2.10 fg/mL. The selectivity of the developed biosensor has been confirmed after detecting the S1 protein even in presence of other interfering proteins. Moreover, the ability of the device to detect SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein has been also tested in nasopharyngeal swab samplesThis work has been financially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (PID2020-116728RB-I00, PID2020- 116661RB-I00, CTQ2015-71955-REDT (ELECTROBIONET)) and Community of Madrid (TRANSNANOAVANSENS, S2018/NMT-4349, and PhotoArt P2018/NMT-4367). E. Enebral thank the financial support of “Nanotecnología para detección del SARS-CoV-2 y sus variantes. NANOCOV” project. IMDEA Nanociencia receives support from the “Severo Ochoa” Programme for Centres of Excellence in R&D (MINECO, Grant CEX2020-001039-S). We also thank the Spanish Ministry of Universities for supporting Laura Gutiérrez-Galvez with the Formación del Profesorado Universitario (FPU) grant (FPU19/06309

Maximum oxygen consumption measurement in professional football players of Bogotá

Introducción: en el fútbol colombiano no existe una guía clara para los entrenadores frente a la evaluación de la resistencia, una de las capacidades condicionales más implicadas en la realidad de este deporte, la cual, se evalúa mediante el consumo máximo de oxígeno. Objetivo general: establecer una clasificación del VO2 máx. para los futbolistas profesionales colombianos. Materiales y métodos: se evaluaron 39 futbolistas profesionales, con una edad media de 20,82 ± 2 años, una talla de 1,76 ± 0,06 m y un peso de 71,66 ± 6,3 kg. Resultados y discusión: se obtuvo el peso mediante una báscula de bioimpedancia Inbody770 y se evaluó el consumo de oxígeno, mediante la prueba de Léger. Con los resultados obtenidos, se establecieron categorías, mediante el método de intervalos de clase, resultando seis categorías comprendidas entre el valor mínimo (45,00 ml/kg/min) y máximo encontrados (59,6 ml/kg/min). Conclusión: los futbolistas de Bogotá presentaron valores medios de VO2 máx. inferiores a los de la mayoría de las poblaciones profesionales estudiadas en otras investigaciones.Introduction: Colombian football does not have a clearly trainer ́s guide for the evaluation of resistance, one of the principal conditional capacities involved in football, which is assessed by the maximal oxygen consumption.General objective: To establish a VO2 max. scale for the Colombian professional football players. Materials and methods: 39 professional football players were evaluated, whit an average age 20,82 ± 2 years, height 1,76 ± 0,06 m and weight 71,66 ± 6,3 kg. Results and discussion: The mass was obtained by the bioimpedance scale Inbody 770 and the oxygen consumption through the Leger test. Using the results, a scale was constructed with the class interval method, resulting six categories, comprise between the minimum (45,00 ml/kg/min) and maximum (59,6 ml/kg/min) values obtained. Conclusion: The soccer players from Bogota reveal a VO2max lower medium value compared with most of the professional soccer players studied in other investigationsIncluye referencias bibliográfica

Women and gambling disorder: Assessing dropouts and relapses in cognitive behavioral group therapy

Background: Gender-specific literature focused on gambling disorder (GD) is scarce, and women with GD have been understudied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the short-term effectiveness in women with GD (n = 214) of a group standardized cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and to identify the most relevant predictors of the primary therapy outcomes (dropout and relapse). Methods: The manualized CBT consisted of 16 weekly outpatient group sessions. Women were provided with resources to obtain a better understanding of the GD, to improve self-control and to manage risk situations. Results: The dropout risk was higher for women with lower GD severity and higher psychopathological distress. Among other factors, lower education levels were a significant predictor of the relapse risk and and the frequency of relapses was higher for divorced women with a preference for non-strategic gambling and with substances consumption. Conclusions: Our findings evidence women-specific predictors of the primary therapy outcomes. The results highlight the need to design psychological interventions that address dropout and relapse risk factors in women

Free PCR virus detection via few-layer bismuthene and tetrahedral DNA nanostructured assemblies

In this work we describe a highly sensitive method based on a biocatalyzed electrochemiluminescence approach. The system combines, for the first time, the use of few-layer bismuthene (FLB) as a platform for the oriented immobilization of tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs) specifically designed and synthetized to detect a specific SARS-CoV-2 gene sequence. In one of its vertices, these TDNs contain a DNA capture probe of the open reading frame 1 ab (ORF1ab) of the virus, available for the biorecognition of the target DNA/RNA. At the other three vertices, there are thiol groups that enable the stable anchoring/binding to the FLB surface. This novel geometry/approach enables not only the binding of the TDNs to surfaces, but also the orientation of the capture probe in a direction normal to the bismuthine surface so that it is readily accessible for binding/recognition of the specific SARS-CoV-2 sequence. The analytical signal is based on the anodic electrochemiluminescence (ECL) intensity of luminol which, in turn, arises as a result of the reaction with H2O2, generated by the enzymatic reaction of glucose oxidation, catalyzed by the biocatalytic label avidin-glucose oxidase conjugate (Av-GOx), which acts as co-reactant in the electrochemiluminescent reaction. The method exhibits a limit of detection (LOD) of 4.31 aM and a wide linear range from 14.4 aM to 1.00 μM, and its applicability was confirmed by detecting SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal samples from COVID-19 patients without the need of any amplification processPID2020-116728RB-I00, PID2020-116661RB-I00, PID2020-119352RB-I00, PDC2021-120782-C2, PID2022-138908NB-C31, CTQ2015-71955-REDT, S2018/NMT-434

Type 2 Diabetes-Related Variants Influence the Risk of Developing Prostate Cancer:A Population-Based Case-Control Study and Meta-Analysis

In this study, we have evaluated whether 57 genome-wide association studies (GWAS)-identified common variants for type 2 diabetes (T2D) influence the risk of developing prostate cancer (PCa) in a population of 304 Caucasian PCa patients and 686 controls. The association of selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the risk of PCa was validated through meta-analysis of our data with those from the UKBiobank and FinnGen cohorts, but also previously published genetic studies. We also evaluated whether T2D SNPs associated with PCa risk could influence host immune responses by analysing their correlation with absolute numbers of 91 blood-derived cell populations and circulating levels of 103 immunological proteins and 7 steroid hormones. We also investigated the correlation of the most interesting SNPs with cytokine levels after in vitro stimulation of whole blood, peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and monocyte-derived macrophages with LPS, PHA, Pam3Cys, and Staphylococcus Aureus. The meta-analysis of our data with those from six large cohorts confirmed that each copy of the FTOrs9939609A, HNF1Brs7501939T, HNF1Brs757210T, HNF1Brs4430796G, and JAZF1rs10486567A alleles significantly decreased risk of developing PCa (p = 3.70 × 10−5, p = 9.39 × 10−54, p = 5.04 × 10−54, p = 1.19 × 10−71, and p = 1.66 × 10−18, respectively). Although it was not statistically significant after correction for multiple testing, we also found that the NOTCH2rs10923931T and RBMS1rs7593730 SNPs associated with the risk of developing PCa (p = 8.49 × 10−4 and 0.004). Interestingly, we found that the protective effect attributed to the HFN1B locus could be mediated by the SULT1A1 protein (p = 0.00030), an arylsulfotransferase that catalyzes the sulfate conjugation of many hormones, neurotransmitters, drugs, and xenobiotic com-pounds. In addition to these results, eQTL analysis revealed that the HNF1Brs7501939, HNF1Brs757210, HNF1Brs4430796, NOTCH2rs10923931, and RBMS1rs7593730 SNPs influence the risk of PCa through the modulation of mRNA levels of their respective genes in whole blood and/or liver. These results confirm that functional TD2-related variants influence the risk of developing PCa, but also highlight the need of additional experiments to validate our functional results in a tumoral tissue context

Methylene Blue functionalized carbon nanodots combined with different shape gold nanostructures for sensitive and selective SARS-CoV-2 sensing

The development of DNA-sensing platforms based on new synthetized Methylene Blue functionalized carbon nanodots combined with different shape gold nanostructures (AuNs), as a new pathway to develop a selective and sensitive methodology for SARS-CoV-2 detection is presented. A mixture of gold nanoparticles and gold nanotriangles have been synthetized to modify disposable electrodes that act as an enhanced nanostructured electrochemical surface for DNA probe immobilization. On the other hand, modified carbon nanodots prepared a la carte to contain Methylene Blue (MB-CDs) are used as electrochemical indicators of the hybridization event. These MB-CDs, due to their structure, are able to interact differently with double and single-stranded DNA molecules. Based on this strategy, target sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been detected in a straightforward way and rapidly with a detection limit of 2.00 aM. Moreover, this platform allows the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 sequence in the presence of other viruses, and also a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs). The developed approach has been tested directly on RNA obtained from nasopharyngeal samples from COVID-19 patients, avoiding any amplification process. The results agree well with those obtained by RT-qPCR or reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique.We acknowledge the support from the Comunidad de Madrid (TRANSNANOAVANSENS-CM, S2018/NMT-4349, NANOCOV-CM, SI3/PJI/2021–00341) and Ministerio de economia y competitividad de España (PID2020–116728RB-100, CTQ2015–71955-REDT (ELECTROBIONET)). IMDEA Nanociencia acknowledges support from the Programme for Centres of Excellence in R&D ‘Severo Ochoa’ (CEX2020–001039-S, MINECO). Authors also acknowledge REACT EU NANOCOV-CM project. RdC acknowledges support from Fundación IMDEA Nanociencia, Banco Santander, UAM (convocatoria CRUE- SANTANDER-CSIC, reference 10.01.03.02.41).Peer reviewe

POR UNA CULTURA DE PAZ: UNA MIRADA DESDE LAS CIENCIAS DE LA CONDUCTA

En
 virtud
 de
 lo
 anterior,
 los
 estudiosos
 de
 las
 ciencias
 de
 la
 conducta
 
de
 la
 Universidad
Autónoma 
del
 Estado 
de 
México,

ante 
la
persistencia
 y 
proliferación
 de
 estos 
hechos
 en
 diversas
 partes
 del
Mundo
 y
 de
 nuestro 
país 
en 
particular, se
 convocó
 a
 los
 estudiosos
 interesados
 y
 a
 la
 sociedad
 en
 general
 a
 presentar
 trabajos
 para
 analizar,
 debatir
 y
 proponer
 estrategias
 de
 acción
 y
 dirección,
 que
 fortalezcan
 una
 convivencia y bienestar con sentido humanista para una cultura de paz. El
 presente
 texto
 es
 producto
 de 
esta convocatoria 
que
 recoge 
los
trabajos 
de 

los
 interesados 
en 
la
 temática,

 de
 diferentes 
países
(España,
Argentina,
Cuba,
Brasil,
Costa
 Rica
 y
 México)
 retomando
 con
 ello
 sus
 experiencias
 relativas
 al
 estudio,
 análisis,
 comprensión
 e
 instrumentación
 de
 la
 cultura
 de
 paz
 en
 los
 distintos
 ámbitos
 institucionales
 en
 los
 que
 participan:
 educativo,
 salud,
 penitenciario,
 social,
laboral,
familia,
alimentario,
psicológico,
por 
mencionar 
algunos.
 El
 presente
 libro,
 propicia
 un
 espacio
 de
 reflexión,
 diálogo
 y
 posicionamiento
 de
 las 
ciencias 
de 
la 
conducta
 para 
la 
apropiación,
análisis,
debate
 y 
propuestas 
que
 fortalezcan 
una
 cultura
 de 
paz
 a
través
 de 
la
 convivencia 
y
 el 
bienestar
 social 
con
 sentido 
humanista.
El
 sistema 
económico
 neoliberal
 y 
el 
proceso
 de 
globalización 
han
 contribuido
al
 logro
 de
 avances
 significativos
 en
 la
 ciencia
 y
 la
 tecnología,
 pero
 también
 han
 propiciado
 la
 polarización
 de
 las
 sociedades
 lo
 que
 ha
 impactado
 de
 manera
 negativa
 a
 la
 sociedad
 en
 su
 conjunto,
 pero
 en
 mayor
 medida
 a
 los grupos
 vulnerables. Dicha
 polarización
 ha
 traído
 consigo
 un
 desarrollo
 desigual
 del
 mundo
 que
 se
 expresa
 de
 diferentes
 maneras
 tanto
 en
 países
 desarrollados
 como
 en
 los
 llamados
 del
 tercer
 mundo,
 en
 donde
 no
 están
 satisfechas
 las
 necesidades
 humanas 
elementales
 de
 todos 
los
sectores 
de 
la 
población,
siempre 
falta 
algo. 
Si 
a
 esto 
le
 sumamos 
los
conflictos
 internacionales por
 diferentes
 motivos
 que
 enfrentan
 algunas
 naciones,
 una
 insuficiente
 cobertura
 educativa
 y
 de
 salud,

 desempleo
 y
 pobreza 
extrema,
 entre 
otras
 cosas; 
estamos
 frente
 a
retos 
de
 gran
 envergadura
 para
 los
 gobiernos,
 para
 los
 estudiosos
 y
 para
 la
 sociedad
 civil
 en
 general. Uno 
de 
los
 intentos
 para
 frenar 
y prevenir 
la
 agudización
 de 
estas 
problemáticas
 es
 la
 cultura 
de 
paz,
cuyo
 estudio
y propuestas 
han 
ido 
avanzando 
en 
diferentes
 sentidos 
y 
de 
manera 
favorable,
el 
tema 
está 
presente 
en 
diferentes 
Organismos
 Internacionales
 como
 la
 ONU,
 la
 UNESCO,
 la
 OCDE,
 El
 Banco
 Mundial,
 entre
 otros.
 Pero
 falta 
mucho 
por 
hacer.Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Méxic