Influence of the Synthesis Method on the Preparation Composites Derived from TiO2-LDH for Phenol Photodegradation

Three different TiO2 catalysts are prepared using different methods. MgAl-CO32− layered double hydroxides (LDH) were obtained by the sol-gel method. In the preparation of the composites, the three photocatalysts were combined with LDH following different methodologies. The composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), specific surface area (SA), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The influence of the synthesis method on the preparation of the composites was evaluated by analyzing their photocatalytic activity against phenol as a model organic pollutant under UV irradiation. The photocatalytic activity of the composites improves when the chemical interaction, determined by XPS, between the TiO2 and the LDH decreases. The same happens when the ratio of the anatase-rutile phases, determined by XRD, approaches optimum (80:20%). The effect of the composite concentration in the solution (0.5–2.0 g/L) was investigated, and the light-shielding phenomenon due to high composite concentration decreases the phenol photodegradation. The reduction of photocatalytic activity in reuse cycles is due to loss and partial deactivation of the material. The elimination of phenol is attributed primarily to the photocatalytic process due to the generation of ●OH radicals and to a lesser extent the adsorption process also present in the samples

Identification of latexin by a proteomic analysis in rat normal articular cartilage

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by degeneration of articular cartilage. Animal models of OA induced are a widely used tool in the study of the pathogenesis of disease. Several proteomic techniques for selective extraction of proteins have provided protein profiles of chondrocytes and secretory patterns in normal and osteoarthritic cartilage, including the discovery of new and promising biomarkers. In this proteomic analysis to study several proteins from rat normal articular cartilage, two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry (MS) were used. Interestingly, latexin (LXN) was found. Using an immunohistochemical technique, it was possible to determine its localization within the chondrocytes from normal and osteoarthritic articular cartilage.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study, 147 proteins were visualized, and 47 proteins were identified by MS. A significant proportion of proteins are involved in metabolic processes and energy (32%), as well as participating in different biological functions including structural organization (19%), signal transduction and molecular signaling (11%), redox homeostasis (9%), transcription and protein synthesis (6%), and transport (6%). The identified proteins were assigned to one or more subcellular compartments.</p> <p>Among the identified proteins, we found some proteins already recognized in other studies such as OA-associated proteins. Interestingly, we identified LXN, an inhibitor of mammalian carboxypeptidases, which had not been described in articular cartilage. Immunolabeling assays for LXN showed a granular distribution pattern in the cytoplasm of most chondrocytes of the middle, deep and calcified zones of normal articular cartilage as well as in subchondral bone. In osteoarthritic cartilage, LXN was observed in superficial and deep zones.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study provides the first proteomic analysis of normal articular cartilage of rat. We identified LXN, whose location was demonstrated by immunolabeling in the chondrocytes from the middle, deep and calcified zones of normal articular cartilage, and superficial and deep zones of osteoarthritic cartilage.</p

Successive fermentation of aguamiel and molasses by Aspergillus oryzae and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to obtain high purity fructooligosaccharides

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are usually synthesized with pure enzymes using highly concentrated sucrose solutions. In this work, low-cost aguamiel and molasses were explored as sucrose alternatives to produce FOS, via whole-cell fermentation, with an Aspergillus oryzae DIA-MF strain. FOS production process was optimized through a central composite experimental design, with two independent variables: initial sucrose concentration in a medium composed of aguamiel and molasses (AgMe), and inoculum concentration. The optimized process—165 g/L initial sucrose in AgMe (adjusted with concentrated molasses) and 1 × 107 spores/mL inoculum concentration—resulted in an FOS production of 119 ± 12 g/L and a yield of 0.64 ± 0.05 g FOS/g GFi. Among the FOSs produced were kestose, nystose, 1-fructofuranosyl-nystose, and potentially a novel trisaccharide produced by this strain. To reduce the content of mono- and disaccharides in the mixture, run a successive fermentation was run with two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. Fermentations run with S. cerevisiae S227 improved FOS purity in the mixture from 39 ± 3% to 61.0 ± 0.6% (w/w) after 16 h of fermentation. This study showed that agro-industrial wastes such as molasses with aguamiel are excellent alternatives as substrate sources for the production of prebiotic FOS, resulting in a lower-cost process.Orlando de la Rosa acknowledges the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT-Mexico) for the financial support given through the PBM (Program Becas Mixtas) (CVU 860996) and the APC was funded by Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila (Mexico). The study was also supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit and the Project ColOsH PTDC/BTM-SAL/30071/2017 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030071).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fructooligosaccharides production from agro-wastes as alternative low-cost source

Background The prebiotic properties of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are well documented. The high demand of functional food by the food, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have lead researchers to explore new and more feasible processes to produce FOS. Not only economical substrates are being exploited to reduce costs, but also, seeking to attend a global problem, the excessive generation of agro-industrial wastes that are polluting the earth, which are not being completely exploited, have been a concern. Scope and approach The purpose of this review is to present a concise (but wide-ranging) appraisal on the latest advances in fructooligosaccharides production from agro-wastes, as alternative low-cost source. Emphasis is placed on the examination, analysis and discussion of the prospects for using different agro-industrial waste bioresources for the production of FOS and FOS-producing enzymes. Key findings and conclusions The food, agro-industrial and forestry industries generate large volumes of waste, that are mainly composed of complex carbohydrates and crude proteins, that can be useful as nutrients for microbial growth, and enzymes or other metabolites production. Agro-industrial wastes are discarded, and its accumulation generates a severe environmental impact. The development of value-added processes using agro-industrial wastes is very attractive and becomes an environmentally friendly waste management method.Authors thank to National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT, México) for the financial support (CVU 860996) given to the Master Program in Food Science and Technology offered by the Autonomous University of Coahuila, Mexico. This study was also supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2019 unit and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte also, Project ColOsH02/SAICT/2017(POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030071).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Characterization of High-Risk HPV/EBV Co-Presence in Pre-Malignant Cervical Lesions and Squamous Cell Carcinomas

High-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs) are the etiological agents of cervical cancer. However, a low proportion of HR-HPV-infected women finally develop this cancer, which suggests the involvement of additional cofactors. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) has been detected in cervical squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) as well as in low-(LSIL) and high-grade (HSIL) squamous in-traepithelial lesions, although its role is unknown. In this study, we characterized HR-HPV/EBV co-presence and viral gene expression in LSIL (n = 22), HSIL (n = 52), and SCC (n = 19) from Chilean women. Additionally, phenotypic changes were evaluated in cervical cancer cells ectopically expressing BamHI-A Rightward Frame 1 (BARF1). BARF1 is a lytic gene also expressed in EBV-positive epithelial tumors during the EBV latency program. HPV was detected in 6/22 (27.3%) LSIL, 38/52 (73.1%) HSIL, and 15/19 (78.9%) SCC cases (p < 0.001). On the other hand, EBV was detected in 16/22 (72.7%) LSIL, 27/52 (51.9%) HSIL, and 13/19 (68.4%) SCC cases (p = 0.177). HR-HPV/EBV co-presence was detected in 3/22 (13.6%) LSIL, 17/52 (32.7%) HSIL, and 11/19 (57.9%) SCC cases (p = 0.020). Additionally, BARF1 transcripts were detected in 37/55 (67.3%) of EBV positive cases and in 19/30 (63.3%) of HR-HPV/EBV positive cases. Increased proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was observed in cervical cancer cells expressing BARF1. Thus, both EBV and BARF1 transcripts are detected in low-and high-grade cervical lesions as well as in cervical carcinomas. In addition, BARF1 can modulate the tumor behavior in cervical cancer cells, suggesting a role in increasing tumor aggressiveness.Fil: Blanco, Rancés. Universidad de Chile. Facultad de Medicina. Institutos de Ciencias Biomedicas.; ChileFil: Carrillo-Beltrán, Diego. Universidad de Tarapaca. Instituto de Alta Investigacion.; ChileFil: Muñoz, Juan P.. Universidad de Tarapaca. Instituto de Alta Investigacion.; ChileFil: Osorio, Julio C.. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Tapia, Julio C.. Universidad de Chile. Facultad de Medicina. Institutos de Ciencias Biomedicas.; ChileFil: Burzio, Verónica A.. Universidad Andrés Bello; ChileFil: Gallegos, Iván. Universidad de Santiago de Chile. Hospital Clinico San Borja Arriaran; ChileFil: Calaf, Gloria M.. Universidad de Tarapaca. Instituto de Alta Investigacion.; ChileFil: Chabay, Paola Andrea. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones en Patologías Pediátricas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones en Patologías Pediátricas; ArgentinaFil: Aguayo, Francisco. Universidad de Chile. Facultad de Medicina. Institutos de Ciencias Biomedicas.; Chil

Synthesis of BiOI/Mordenite Composites for Photocatalytic Treatment of Organic Pollutants Present in Agro-Industrial Wastewater

Recently, bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) is an attractive semiconductor to use in heterogeneous photocatalysis processes. Unfortunately, BiOI individually shows limited photocatalytic efficiency, instability, and a quick recombination of electron/holes. Considering the practical application of this semiconductor, some studies show that synthetic zeolites provide good support for this photocatalyst. This support material permits a better photocatalytic efficiency because it prevents the quick recombination of photogenerated pairs. However, the optimal conditions (time and temperature) to obtain composites (BiOI/ synthetic zeolite) with high photocatalytic efficiency using a coprecipitation-solvothermal growth method have not yet been reported. In this study, a response surface methodology (RSM) based on a central composite design (CCD) was applied to optimize the synthesis conditions of BiOI/mordenite composites. For this purpose, eleven BiOI/mordenite composites were synthesized using a combined coprecipitation-solvothermal method under different time and temperature conditions. The photocatalytic activities of the synthesized composites were evaluated after 20 min of photocatalytic oxidation of caffeic acid, a typical organic pollutant found in agro-industrial wastewater. Moreover, BiOI/mordenite composites with the highest and lowest photocatalytic activity were physically and chemically characterized using nitrogen adsorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The optimal synthesis conditions prove to be 187 °C and 9 h. In addition, the changes applied to the experimental conditions led to surface property modifications that influenced the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of the BiOI/mordenite composite toward caffeic acid photodegradation

Insights into the optimisation of the Clean-In-Place technique: Cleaning, disinfection, and reduced environmental impact using ozone-based formulations

Chemical and food industries are focusing on reducing the economic and environmental impact of cleaning operations. This study aims to analyse the use of alkaline ozonated formulations to remove starch adhering to stainless steel surfaces, improving disinfection of mature biofilms with Listeria and Pseudomonas, and reducing the environmental impact of wastewater. Three key cleaning parameters have been analysed in a lab-simulated Clean-In-Place system (CIP): temperature (20−60 °C), time (20−120 min), and cleaning formulations containing ozone and surfactant (linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, alkylpolyglucoside, fatty ethoxylated alcohol, lauramine oxide) were assayed. Higher temperature, time, and ozone concentration improved starch removal and disinfection of the stainless-steel surfaces, as well as the environmental impact of cleaning wastewater. Therefore, ozone-based CIP protocols could provide new opportunities to achieve cleaner, greener, and safer industries by intensifying cleaning, disinfection, and wastewater treatment in one step, saving operational costs compared to conventional CIP techniques.Grupos de Investigación RNM332 y TEP21

Factores asociados a la brecha de recursos humanos y estrategias de cierre de brechas en el Complejo Hospitalario PNP Luis N. S?enz

La nueva infraestructura del Complejo Hospitalario PNP Luis N. S?enz generar? un incremento de brecha de Recursos Humanos en Salud (RHUS), que ha llevado a plantear diferentes estrategias de cierre de brechas y an?lisis de requerimientos de profesionales en salud. Esta tesis tiene como objetivos identificar la brecha de RHUS, identificar y analizar los factores asociados a la brecha y plantear estrategias con miras a cerrar la brecha; mediante la recopilaci?n de experiencias regionales y globales, recolecci?n de datos de las diferentes ?reas y un instrumento que consisti? en una entrevista a 14 jefes de diferentes ?reas. Esta investigaci?n determin? que, con la apertura de los nuevos ambientes, la brecha de m?dicos ascender? a 382. La Divisi?n de Cirug?a es la m?s comprometida, con una brecha de 113 m?dicos. Los factores econ?micos (80%), repercuten tanto en la baja captaci?n, como en la deserci?n del personal. Asimismo, la principal fuente de dotaci?n de RHUS es el residentado m?dico (66.7%) y el principal atractivo es la estabilidad laboral (73.3%). Finalmente, recomienda implementar estrategias para lograr atraer y retener al personal, principalmente con un aumento del salario e incentivos econ?micos, as? como, aumentar las vacantes para la asimilaci?n de profesionales y t?cnicos

Towards precision medicine: defining and characterizing adipose tissue dysfunction to identify early immunometabolic risk in symptom-free adults from the GEMM family study

Interactions between macrophages and adipocytes are early molecular factors influencing adipose tissue (AT) dysfunction, resulting in high leptin, low adiponectin circulating levels and low-grade metaflammation, leading to insulin resistance (IR) with increased cardiovascular risk. We report the characterization of AT dysfunction through measurements of the adiponectin/leptin ratio (ALR), the adipo-insulin resistance index (Adipo-IRi), fasting/postprandial (F/P) immunometabolic phenotyping and direct F/P differential gene expression in AT biopsies obtained from symptom-free adults from the GEMM family study. AT dysfunction was evaluated through associations of the ALR with F/P insulin-glucose axis, lipid-lipoprotein metabolism, and inflammatory markers. A relevant pattern of negative associations between decreased ALR and markers of systemic lowgrade metaflammation, HOMA, and postprandial cardiovascular risk hyperinsulinemic, triglyceride and GLP-1 curves was found. We also analysed their plasma non-coding microRNAs and shotgun lipidomics profiles finding trends that may reflect a pattern of adipose tissue dysfunction in the fed and fasted state. Direct gene differential expression data showed initial patterns of AT molecular signatures of key immunometabolic genes involved in AT expansion, angiogenic remodelling and immune cell migration. These data reinforce the central, early role of AT dysfunction at the molecular and systemic level in the pathogenesis of IR and immunometabolic disorders