Estudio del mecanismo molecular de apoptosis y de la seguridad de la terapia fototérmica aplicada al tratamiento del cáncer utilizando nanoprismas de oro funcionalizados

Tesis llevada a cabo para conseguir el grado de doctor en la Universidad de Zaragoza en enero de 2016.-- Sobresaliente "Cum Laude".En esta tesis se ha descrito el uso de nanoprismas de oro para de forma eficiente y selectiva inducir apoptosis en celulas tumorales y mas importante, descifrar el mecanismo de muerte celular que se desencadena, para poder predecir la eficacia de la terapia fototermica usando nanoprismas de oro contra celulas tumorales que son resistentes a las terpias convencionales. Ademas se ha llevado a cabo un estudio en detalle de la toxicidad de los nanoprismas de oro in vitro asi como de su toxicidad y biodistribución in vivo para poder prevenir y minimizar posibles efectos adversos.Peer reviewe

Repercusiones funcionales de la interacción entre mutantes del canal Nav.1.5 responsables del síndrome de Brugada y los canales kir2.x

El síndrome de Brugada (SBr) se caracteriza por la elevación del ST en los registros electrocardiográficos de las derivaciones precordiales derechas y la predisposición a presentar arritmias ventriculares y muerte súbita. El SBr se transmite característicamente según un patrón de herencia autosómico dominante. Hasta un 30% de los pacientes genotipados tienen una mutación en el gen SCN5A, que codifica para la subunidad α del canal Nav1.5 cardiaco,que, junto a subunidades auxiliares (Navβ), es responsable de la corriente rápida de entrada de Na (INa). Estas mutaciones codifican canales Nav1.5 que tras su síntesis no alcanzan la membrana de los miocitos cardiacos o/y que tienen alteraciones en los mecanismos dependientes de tiempo y voltaje que determinan la conductancia del canal (gating). El resultado es que los canales mutados o no son capaces de generar corriente o generan corrientes significativamente menores a las generadas por canales nativos (canales con“déficit” de función)..

Exercise for People with Acquired Brain Injury: An ICF Perspective.

Exercise is an important element in the process of recovery from an acquired brain injury (ABI). However, specific guidance for exercise prescription and interventions in this population are missed. The aim of this study was to establish the key parameters to design and implement exercise programs based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) domains. A panel of experts that consisted of 13 professionals from neuro-rehabilitation centers evaluated the key parameters of this original proposal. The Heinemann methodology was used for all qualitative analyses. Additionally, Cronbach’s alpha was applied to the statistical analyses. According to the results, Cronbach’s alpha (0.97) indicated excellent internal consistency, and the experts perceptions ratified the proposed criteria to develop exercise programs for people with ABI. The proposed key parameters for the development of exercise programs for people with ABI based in ICF domains (body functions, activity—participation and environmental factors) bring a new, solid, and innovative tool for methodological design of these programs in sub-acute and chronic rehabilitation settings.pre-print1011 K

Reactive oxygen species in haematopoiesis: leukaemic cells take a walk on the wild side

[EN]Oxidative stress is related to ageing and degenerative diseases, including cancer. However, a moderate amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is required for the regulation of cellular signalling and gene expression. A low level of ROS is important for maintaining quiescence and the differentiation potential of haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), whereas the level of ROS increases during haematopoietic differentiation; thus, suggesting the importance of redox signalling in haematopoiesis. Here, we will analyse the importance of ROS for haematopoiesis and include evidence showing that cells from leukaemia patients live under oxidative stress. The potential sources of ROS will be described. Finally, the level of oxidative stress in leukaemic cells can also be harnessed for therapeutic purposes. In this regard, the reliance of front-line anti-leukaemia chemotherapeutics on increased levels of ROS for their mechanism of action, as well as the active search for novel compounds that modulate the redox state of leukaemic cells, will be analysed

Modelling the fate and serogroup variability of persistent Listeria monocytogenes strains on grated cheese at different storage temperatures

Processed cheese from cow's milk is one of the most consumed dairy products worldwide. Since this product is defined as ready-to-eat, foodborne pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes can represent a health concern for susceptible populations. In this study, the individual and combined kinetic behaviour of four L. monocytogenes serogroups (namely, 1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c and 4b) persistently isolated from a Spanish cheesemaking factory was modelled on grated cheese at different isothermal conditions (4 and 12 °C) during a 120-days period. The serogroup variability was characterized over the storage time by the isolation and identification of the different serogroups in the cocktail containing the four strains. This processed cheese did not support the growth of L. monocytogenes during storage. Survival patterns described by the log-linear type model indicated a high variability of L. monocytogenes serotypes at the tested temperatures: L. monocytogenes serogroup 4b showed a more rapid decrease rate at 4 °C than at 12 °C, while the opposite trend was found for the rest of serogroups and the L. monocytogenes cocktail containing all the strains. Survival rate of L. monocytogenes serogroup 1/2c at 4 °C was 0.007 log CFU/d being the most resistant serotype while at 12 °C, serogroup 1/2a showed the lowest survival rate (0.011 log CFU/d), thus showing a prolonged survival at this temperature. This study highlights the potential implications of L. monocytogenes contamination in processed cheese and shows that serogroup variability should be considered when evaluating survival patterns in contaminated products. Finally, the predictive models developed here could be useful to assist food operators to set specific storage conditions and formulations to avoid L. monocytogenes growth and survival in grated cheeses.European Union (EU) funded Integrated Project PROMISE (project number 265877; 7th Framework Programme

Physical Activity and Sport for Acquired Brain Injury (PASABI): A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background and objectives: Acquired brain injury (ABI) is the first cause of disability and physical activity (PA) is a key element in functional recovery and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during the subacute and chronic phases. However, it is necessary to develop PA programs that respond to the heterogeneity and needs of this population. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a PA program on the HRQoL in this population. Materials and Methods: With regard to recruitment, after baseline evaluations, participants were assigned to either the intervention group (IG, n = 38) or the control group (CG, n = 35). Functional capacity, mood, quality of life and depression were measured pre- and post-intervention. The IG underwent the “Physical Activity and Sport for Acquired Brain Injury” (PASABI) program, which was designed to improve HRQoL (1-h sessions, two to four sessions/week for 18 weeks). The CG underwent a standard rehabilitation program without PA. Results: Results for the IG indicated significant differences and large effect sizes for the physical and mental dimensions of quality of life, as well as mood and functional capacity, indicating an increase in HRQoL. No significant differences were found for the CG across any variables. Conclusions: The PASABI program was feasible and beneficial for improving physiological and functionality variables in the IG. The wide range of the activities of the PASABI program allow its application to a large number of people with ABI, promoting health through PA, especially in the chronic phasepost-print465 K

Temperature-independent quantum logic for molecular spectroscopy

We propose a fast and non-destructive spectroscopic method for single molecular ions that implements quantum logic schemes between an atomic ion and the molecular ion of interest. Our proposal relies on a hybrid coherent manipulation of the two-ion system, using optical or magnetic forces depending on the types of molecular levels to be addressed (Zeeman, rotational, vibrational or electronic degrees of freedom). The method is especially suited for the non-destructive precision spectroscopy of single molecular ions, and sets a starting point for new hybrid quantum computation schemes that combine molecular and atomic ions, covering the measurement and entangling steps.Comment: v3. Substantially enlarged manuscript with details of derivations and calculations in two appendices. To appear in PR

Incidencia del software geogebra como herramienta didáctica en el desarrollo del pensamiento geométrico

Maestría en EducaciónEsta investigación analiza la incidencia que presenta el software de geometría dinámica Geogebra como estrategia didáctica en el pensamiento geométrico en estudiantes de noveno grado de una institución estatal, Departamento del Magdalena, Municipio de Pueblo Viejo. La metodología está enmarcada bajo un enfoque cuantitativo, diseño cuasi-experimental y alcance explicativo; la muestra fue de 33 estudiantes 16 correspondientes al grupo control y 17 al grupo experimental. Para ellos se implementó un test con preguntas de selección múltiple, que evalúa las tres competencias que se desarrollan en el pensamiento geométrico. Los resultados obtenidos evidencian que el promedio de los estudiantes que aprenden con en este tipo de estrategia es mayor cuando se compara con el promedio de los estudiantes que aprenden con de lápiz y papel en el grupo controlThis research analyzes the incidence of Geogebra dynamic geometry software as a didactic strategy in geometric thinking in ninth grade students of a state institution, Magdalena Department, Municipality of Pueblo Viejo. The methodology is framed under a quantitative approach, quasi-experimental design and explanatory scope; the sample was 33 students 16 corresponding to the control group and 17 to the experimental group. For them, a test with multiple-choice questions was implemented, which evaluates the three competences that are developed in geometric thinking. The results obtained show that the average of students who learn with this type of strategy is higher when compared to the average of students who learn with pencil and paper in the control group