Real-time impedance monitoring during electroporation processes in vegetal tissue using a high-performance generator

Classical application of electroporation is carried out by using fixed protocols that do not clearly assure the complete ablation of the desired tissue. Nowadays, new methods that pursue the control of the treatment by studying the change in impedance during the applied pulses as a function of the electric field are being developed. These types of control seek to carry out the treatment in the fastest way, decreasing undesired effects and treatment time while ensuring the proper tumour ablation. The objective of this research is to determine the state of the treatment by continuously monitoring the impedance by using a novel versatile high-voltage generator and sensor system. To study the impedance dynamics in real time, the use of pulses of reduced voltage, below the threshold of reversible electroporation, is tested to characterise the state-of-the-treatment without interfering with it. With this purpose, a generator that provides both low voltage for sense tissue changes and high voltage for irreversible electroporation (IRE) was developed. In conclusion, the characterisation of the effects of electroporation in vegetal tissue, combined with the real-time monitoring of the state-of-the-treatment, will enable the provision of safer and more effective treatments

Multi-electrode architecture modeling and optimization for homogeneous electroporation of large volumes of tissue

Electroporation is a phenomenon that consists of increasing the permeability of the cell membrane by means of high-intensity electric field application. Nowadays, its clinical application to cancer treatment is one of the most relevant branches within the many areas of electroporation. In this area, it is essential to apply homogeneous treatments to achieve complete removal of tumors and avoid relapse. It is necessary to apply an optimized transmembrane potential at each point of the tissue by means of a homogenous electric field application and appropriated electric field orientation. Nevertheless, biological tissues are composed of wide variety, heterogeneous and anisotropic structures and, consequently, predicting the applied electric field distribution is complex. Consequently, by applying the parallel-needle electrodes and single-output generators, homogeneous and predictable treatments are difficult to obtain, often requiring several repositioning/application processes that may leave untreated areas. This paper proposes the use of multi-electrode structure to apply a wide range of electric field vectors to enhance the homogeneity of the treatment. To achieve this aim, a new multi-electrode parallel-plate configuration is proposed to improve the treatment in combination with a multiple-output generator. One method for optimizing the electric field pattern application is studied, and simulation and experimental results are presented and discussed, proving the feasibility of the proposed approach

Characterization of basal nitric oxide production in living cells

AbstractNitric oxide (NO) is an important modulator of immune, endocrine and neuronal functions; however, measuring physiological levels of NO in cell cultures is generally difficult because of the lack of suitable methodologies. We have selected three cell lines from different origins: the neuroblastoma-derived Neuro2A (N2A), the cholinergic SN56 and the non-neuronal COS-1. We first demonstrated the presence of NADPH-diaphoretic activity, a potential marker of the NO-synthesizing (NOS) enzyme. By immunocytochemistry, using specific antibodies for each NOS subtype, we observed that subtype I was present in all cell lines and that subtype II was present in COS-1 and N2A cell lines. The presence of these NOS subtypes was further verified by Western blot analysis. Control cells treated with DAF-2 DA exhibited significant fluorescent levels corresponding to basal NO production. The subcellular distribution of the synthesizing enzyme was consistent with the NO-fluorescence signal; whereas, fixation affected the subcellular pattern of NO fluorescence signal. Addition of NOS inhibitors or NO scavengers to the incubation medium reduced the intensity of the NO fluorescence signal in a concentration-dependent manner. Conversely, increasing concentrations of a NO donor, or incident light, increased the fluorescence intensity. Our observation of NO production and distribution using the DAF-2 method has a direct impact on studies using these cell lines

Focalización de ablación tumoral basada en sistema de electroporación versátil multi-salida

La ablación tumoral mediante IRE ya es empleada a nivel clínico, mas tiene diversos retos por superar, como la focalización del tratamiento, preservando tejido sano y asegurando su eficacia. Este trabajo propone una metodología basada en un sistema experimental de electroporación para mejorar el control y la focalización del tratamiento

Desarrollo e Implementación de Técnicas y Dispositivos para la Aplicación de Electroporación como Tratamiento Tumoral

La electroporación es un fenómeno que aumenta la permeabilidad de las membranas celulares mediante pulsos de campo eléctrico. Entre sus aplicaciones, la ablación tumoral presenta importantes ventajas derivadas de la ausencia de efectos térmicos. Este artículo detalla los dispositivos y técnicas desarrollados que permiten optimizar y controlar dichos tratamientos

Posicionamiento tumoral mediante multielectrodos y redes neuronales

En este trabajo se ha propuesto un método basado en redes neuronales que permite estimar la posición de un tumor por medio de un generador multisalida, estructuras multi-electrodo y redes neuronales, para mejorar el control, focalización, y homogeneidad de las aplicaciones médicas actuales de la electroporación

Cytokines and lymphoid populations as potential biomarkers in locally and borderline pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Despite its relative low incidence, PDAC is one of the most aggressive and lethal types of cancer, being currently the seventh leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with a 5-year survival rate of 10.8%. Taking into consideration the necessity to improve the prognosis of these patients, this research has been focused on the discovery of new biomarkers. For this purpose, patients with BL and resectable disease were recruited. Serum cytokines and growth factors were monitored at different time points using protein arrays. Immune cell populations were determined by flow cytometry in peripheral blood as well as by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in tumor tissues. Several cytokines were found to be differentially expressed between the study subgroups. In the BL disease setting, two different scores were proven to be independent prognostic factors for progression-free survival (PFS) (based on IL-10, MDC, MIF, and eotaxin-3) and OS (based on eotaxin-3, NT-3, FGF-9, and IP10). In the same context, CA19-9 was found to play a role as independent prognostic factor for OS. Eotaxin-3 and MDC cytokines for PFS, and eotaxin-3, NT-3, and CKβ8-1 for OS, were shown to be predictive biomarkers for nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine regimen. Similarly, oncostatin, BDNF, and IP10 cytokines were proven to act as predictive biomarkers regarding PFS, for FOLFIRINOX regimen. In the resectable cohort, RANTES, TIMP-1, FGF-4, and IL-10 individually differentiated patients according to their cancer-associated survival. Regarding immune cell populations, baseline high levels of circulating B lymphocytes were related to a significantly longer OS, while these levels significantly decreased as progression occurred. Similarly, baseline high levels of helper lymphocytes (CD4+), low levels of cytotoxic lymphocytes (CD8+), and a high CD4/CD8 ratio, were related to a significantly longer PFS. Finally, high levels of CD4+ and CD8+ intratumoural infiltration was associated with significantly longer PFS. In conclusion, in this study we were able to identify several prognostic and predictive biomarker candidates in patients diagnosed of resectable or BL PDAC.This work was funded by grants from the Department of Health from the Government of Navarra (Ref. 008-2018), REFBIO II Pyrenees Biomedical Network from Programa INTERREG V-A España-Francia-Andorra (Ref. BMK_PANC) and Sociedad Española de Oncología Médica (SEOM) to A.V. I.G.B was supported by a predoctoral fellowship from the Department of Economic Development Government of Navarre Ayudas para la contratación de doctorandos y doctorandas por empresas y organismos de investigación y difusión de conocimientos: doctorados industriales 2018–2020. Intensification Programme Navarrabiomed 2017–2021 Obra Social La Caixa Fundación Caja Navarra. Work by JPC received funds from Spanish Ministry of Economy (MINECO; BFU2016–80360-R) and Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN; PID2019-105201RB-I00), Junta de Andalucía (BIO- 0139), Universidad de Córdoba-FEDER (UCO-202099901918904), GETNE2019 Research grant; and CIBERobn Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBER is an initiative of Instituto de Salud Carlos III, co-funded by European Union: ERDF/ESF, “Investing in your future”). EAP was funded by a Predoctoral contract FI17/00282 Instituto de Salud Carlos III

Capiteles sevillanos. Técnicas avanzadas para su documentación gráfica.

Recent developments in the field of documentation of cultural heritage using digital photogrammetry and scanning have led to a renewed interest in techniques and processes that are being used to get geometric models of heritage. So far, however, there has been little discussion about the definition of standardized processes in order to ensure homogeneity and interoperability. On the other hand, very valuable information of the buildings is contained by capitals. The aim of our research is to get a protocol in the documentation of this kind of architectural elements, through the use and comparison of new technologies in the graphic documentation. For this purpose, we have used photogrammetric techniques and optical scanners in order to obtain field data, specialized software management and modeling point clouds for the development of textured 3D models and graphic design software that allows us to analyze and disseminate the result

Telemonitoring and home hospitalization in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: study TELEPOC.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major consumer of healthcare resources, with most costs related to disease exacerbations. Telemonitoring of patients with COPD may help to reduce the number of exacerbations and/or the related costs. On the other hand, home hospitalization is a cost-saving alternative to inpatient hospitalization associated with increased comfort 15 for patients. The results are reported regarding using telemonitoring and home hospitalization for the management of patients with COPD. Methods: Twenty-eight patients monitored their health parameters at home for six months. A nurse remotely revised the collected parameters and followed the patients as programmed. A home care unit was dispatched to the patients’ home if an alarm signal was detected. The outcomes were compared to 20 historical data from the same patients. Results: The number of COPD exacerbations during the study period did not reduce but the number of hospital admissions decreased by 60% and the number of emergency room visits by 38%. On average, costs related to utilization of healthcare resources were reduced by €1,860.80 per patient per year. Conclusions: Telemonitoring of patients with COPD combined with home hospitalization may allow for AQ425 a reduction in healthcare costs, although its usefulness in preventing exacerbations is still unclearpre-print664 K