Tau Phosphorylation, Aggregation, and Cell Toxicity

Protein aggregation takes place in many neurodegenerative disorders. However, there is a controversy about the possible toxicity of these protein aggregates. In this review, this controversy is discussed, focussing on the tau aggregation that takes place in those disorders known as tauopathies

Computer modeling of radiofrequency cardiac ablation: 30 years of bioengineering research

[EN] This review begins with a rationale of the importance of theoretical, mathematical and computational models for radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation (RFCA). We then describe the historical context in which each model was developed, its contribution to the knowledge of the physics of RFCA and its implications for clinical practice. Next, we review the computer modeling studies intended to improve our knowledge of the biophysics of RFCA and those intended to explore new technologies. We describe the most important technical details of the implementation of mathematical models, including governing equations, tissue properties, boundary conditions, etc. We discuss the utility of lumped element models, which despite their simplicity are widely used by clinical researchers to provide a physical explanation of how RF power is absorbed in different tissues. Computer model verification and validation are also discussed in the context of RFCA. The article ends with a section on the current limitations, i.e. aspects not yet included in state-of-the-art RFCA computer modeling and on future work aimed at covering the current gapsGrant RTI2018-094357-B-C21 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/Agencia Estatal de Investigación)González-Suárez, A.; Pérez, JJ.; Irastorza, RM.; D Avila, A.; Berjano, E. (2022). Computer modeling of radiofrequency cardiac ablation: 30 years of bioengineering research. Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine. 214:1-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmpb.2021.10654611621

Limitations of Baseline Impedance, Impedance Drop and Current for Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation Monitoring: Insights from In Silico Modeling

[EN] Background: Baseline impedance, radiofrequency current, and impedance drop during radiofrequency catheter ablation are thought to predict effective lesion formation. However, quantifying the contributions of local versus remote impedances provides insights into the limitations of indices using those parameters. Methods: An in silico model of left atrial radiofrequency catheter ablation was used based on human thoracic measurements and solved for (1) initial impedance (Z), (2) percentage of radiofrequency power delivered to the myocardium and blood (3) total radiofrequency current, (4) impedance drop during heating, and (5) lesion size after a 25 W¿30 s ablation. Remote impedance was modeled by varying the mixing ratio between skeletal muscle and fat. Local impedance was modeled by varying insertion depth of the electrode (ID). Results: Increasing the remote impedance led to increased baseline impedance, lower system current delivery, and reduced lesion size. For ID = 0.5 mm, Z ranged from 115 to 132 ¿ when fat percentage varied from 20 to 80%, resulting in a decrease in the RF current from 472 to 347 mA and a slight decrease in lesion size from 5.6 to 5.1 mm in depth, and from 9.2 to 8.0 mm in maximum width. In contrast, increasing the local impedance led to lower system current but larger lesions. For a 50% fat¿muscle mixture, Z ranged from 118 to 138 ¿ when ID varied from 0.3 to 1.9 mm, resulting in a decrease in the RF current from 463 to 443 mA and an increase in lesion size, from 5.2 up to 7.5 mm in depth, and from 8.4 up to 11.6 mm in maximum width. In cases of nearly identical Z but different contributions of local and remote impedance, markedly different lesions sizes were observed despite only small differences in RF current. Impedance drop better predicted lesion size (R2 > 0.93) than RF current (R2 < 0.1). Conclusions: Identical baseline impedances and observed RF currents can lead to markedly different lesion sizes with different relative contributions of local and remote impedances to the electrical circuit. These results provide mechanistic insights into the advantage of measuring local impedance and identifies potential limitations of indices incorporating baseline impedance or current to predict lesion qualitySpanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades / Agencia Estatal de Investigación (MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) under grant RTI2018-094357-B-C21, and Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica de Argentina, grant PICT-2016-2303. Dr. Irastorza was the recipient of a scholarship of the Programa de Becas Externas Postdoctorales para Jóvenes Investigadores del CONICET (Argentina).Irastorza, RM.; Maher, T.; Barkagan, M.; Liubasuskas, R.; Pérez, JJ.; Berjano, E.; D Avila, A. (2022). Limitations of Baseline Impedance, Impedance Drop and Current for Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation Monitoring: Insights from In Silico Modeling. Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease. 9(10):1-12. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd9100336S11291

GRB 221009A: A light dark matter burst or an extremely bright Inverse Compton component?

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have been considered as potential very high-energy photon emitters due to the large amount of energy released as well as the strong magnetic fields involved in their jets. However, the detection of TeV photons is not expected from bursts beyond a redshift of $z\gtrsim 0.1$ due to their attenuation with the extragalactic background light (EBL). For these reasons, the recent observation of photons with energies of 18 and 251 TeV from GRB 221009A (z=0.151) last October 9th, 2022 has challenged what we know about the TeV-emission mechanisms and the extragalactic background. In order to explain the TeV observations, recent works exploring candidates of dark matter have started to appear. In this paper, we discuss the required conditions and limitations within the most plausible scenario, synchrotron-self Compton (SSC) radiation in the GRB afterglow, to interpret the one 18-TeV photon observation besides the EBL. To avoid the Klein-Nishina effect, we find an improbable value of the microphysical magnetic parameter below $10^{-6}$ for a circumburst medium value $> 1{\rm cm^{-3}}$ (expected in the collapsar scenario). Therefore, we explore possible scenarios in terms of ALPs and dark photon mechanisms to interpret this highly-energetic photon and we discuss the implications in the GRB energetics. We find that the ALPs and dark photon scenarios can explain the 18 TeV photon but not the 251 TeV photon.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures, 4 table

Using positive deviance in the prevention and control of MRSA infections in a Colombian hospital: a time-series analysis

Positive Deviance (PD) is a process to achieve a social and cultural change. This strategy has been used for the control of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in some health institutions in the United States, but has rarely been adopted in institutions from developing countries where resources are limited. We describe our experience of PD in the control of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) due to MRSA in a Colombian hospital with the aim of reducing HAI rates through a cultural change in processes. A time-series study was conducted based on the MRSA-HAI rate and the number of months with zero MRSA infections before and after application of PD (2001-2012). On comparing the pre-intervention and intervention periods, the mean overall rates of MRSA-HAI was 0·62 and 0·36, respectively (P = 0·0005); the number of months with zero MRSA-HAIs were 3/70 and 12/74 (odds ratio 0·264, 95% confidence interval 0·078-0·897); the percentage of MRSA-HAIs was 53·2% and 41·0%. These results are consistent with other published data. Implementation of PD was associated with a significant reduction of MRSA-HAIs, it did not involve high costs and the changes have been lasting

Quantum-well states in ultrathin Ag(111) films deposited onto H-passivated Si(111)-(1x1) surfaces

Ag(111) films were deposited at room temperature onto H-passivated Si(111)-(1x1) substrates, and subsequently annealed at 300 C. An abrupt non-reactive Ag/Si interface is formed, and very uniform non-strained Ag(111) films of 6-12 monolayers have been grown. Angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy has been used to study the valence band electronic properties of these films. Well-defined Ag sp quantum-well states (QWS) have been observed at discrete energies between 0.5-2eV below the Fermi level, and their dispersions have been measured along the GammaK, GammaMM'and GammaL symmetry directions. QWS show a parabolic bidimensional dispersion, with in-plane effective mass of 0.38-0.50mo, along the GammaK and GammaMM' directions, whereas no dispersion has been found along the GammaL direction, indicating the low-dimensional electronic character of these states. The binding energy dependence of the QWS as a function of Ag film thickness has been analyzed in the framework of the phase accumulation model. According to this model, a reflectivity of 70% has been estimated for the Ag-sp states at the Ag/H/Si(111)-(1x1) interface.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Growth and Branching of Gold nanoparticles Through MesoporousSilica Thin Films

Composite materials made of mesoporous oxide thin films containing metallic nanoparticles are of high interest in various fields, including catalysis, biosensing and non-linear optics. We demonstrate in this work the fabrication of such composite materials containing a sub-monolayer of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) of various shapes covered with mesoporous silica thin films. Additionally, the shape of the GNPs (and thus their optical properties) can be modified in situ through seeded growth and branching. Such growth proceeds upon wetting with HAuCl 4 solution, a surfactant (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB) and a mild reducing agent (ascorbic acid, AA). The effect of varying several reaction parameters (time and CTAB and AA concentrations) was evaluated, showing that more anisotropic particles are obtained at longer reaction times, lower CTAB concentration and higher AA concentration. The final shape of the GNPs was also found to depend on their initial shape and size, as well as the pore size of the mesoporous film covering them. Because the growth proceeds through the pores of the film, it may lead to shapes that are not easily obtained in solution, such as particles with branches on one side only. Finally, we have confirmed that no damage was induced to the mesoporous silica structure during the growth process and thus the final particles remain well covered by the thin film, which can eventually be used as a filter between the GNPs and the outer medium.Fil: Angelomé, Paula C.. Universidad de Vigo; EspañaFil: Pastoriza Santos, Isabel. Universidad de Vigo; EspañaFil: Pérez Juste, Jorge. Universidad de Vigo; EspañaFil: Rodríguez-González, Benito. Universidad de Vigo; EspañaFil: Zelcer, Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Constituyentes; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología; ArgentinaFil: Soler Illia, Galo Juan de Avila Arturo. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Constituyentes; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Liz Marzán, Luis M.. Universidad de Vigo; Españ

Actividad antibacteriana de la Propolina® frente a bacterias causantes de mastitis subclínica

Background: The final antisepsis of nipples is performed with aqueous solutions containing Propolina® to prevent mastitis. The aim of this paper was to determine the antimicrobial activity of different concentrations of Propolina® against mastitis-causing microorganisms. Materials and Methods The microorganisms were isolated from the milk of cows having three mastitis crossings. The antimicrobial activity of aqueous Propolina® solutions between 2.5 and 60.0 mg.ml-1 was tested against isolated bacteria and Gram-negative Escherichia coli strain ATCC 25922 by spraying the solution in plate wells containing agar. A one-way ANOVA was used to determine the effect of the propoline dose on the bacterial species associated with mastitis; the Duncan’s multiple rank-sum test was used for dose comparisons. Results: The Gram-positive bacteria were identified: Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus sp. and Corynebacterium sp., which were sensitive to the Propolina® solutions, while Gram negative Escherichia coli strain ATCC 25922 showed no sensitivity. The 60, 30, and 20 mg.ml-1 concentrations were more effective against Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. Conclusions: Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus sp., and Corynebacterium sp. were isolated and identified, as causing subclinical mastitis. The Propolina® solutions were highly effective against Gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus sp., which were sensitive to the 20, 30, and 60 mg.ml-1, and 30 and 60 mg.ml-1 concentrations of Propolina®, respectively. Keywords: antimicrobial activity, propoleum, Staphylococcus spp. (Source: BVS)Antecedentes: La antisepsia final del pezón es una medida preventiva para la mastitis, con este propósito se utilizan soluciones acuosas de Propolina®. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo determinar la actividad antimicrobiana de diferentes concentraciones de Propolina® frente a microorganismos causantes de mastitis. Materiales y métodos: Se aislaron microorganismos de muestras de leche de vacas con tres cruces de mastitis. Se determinó la actividad antimicrobiana de soluciones acuosas de Propolina® entre 2,5 y 60,0 mg.ml-1 frente a las bacterias aisladas y a una cepa Gram negativa de Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 mediante el método de difusión en agar por pocillos. Se utilizó un ANOVA simple para determinar el efecto de las dosis de Propolina® sobre las especies bacterianas y la Prueba de Rangos Múltiples de Duncan para la comparación entre las dosis. Resultados: Se identificaron las bacterias Gram positivas: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus sp. Coagulasa negativo y Corynebacterium sp., que resultaron sensibles a las soluciones de Propolina®. La cepa Gram negativa de Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 no mostró sensibilidad. Las concentraciones 60, 30 y 20 mg.ml-1 resultaron más efectivas frente a Staphylococcus aureus y Staphylococcus sp. Coagulasa negativo. Conclusiones: Se aislaron e identificaron diferentes géneros microbianos causantes de mastitis subclínica que incluyen Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus sp. Coagulasa negativo y Corynebacterium sp. Las soluciones de Propolina® mostraron una mayor efectividad frente a los microorganismos Gram positivos Staphylococcus aureus y Staphylococcus sp. Coagulasa negativo los cuales resultaron sensibles a las concentraciones 20, 30 y 60 mg·ml-1 y 30 y 60 mg·ml-1 de Propolina®, respectivamente. Palabras clave: actividad antimicrobiana, propóleo, Staphylococcus sp. (Fuente: BVS

Two-domains bulklike Fermi surface of Ag films deposited onto Si(111)-(7x7)

Thick metallic silver films have been deposited onto Si(111)-(7x7) substrates at room temperature. Their electronic properties have been studied by using angle resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES). In addition to the electronic band dispersion along the high-symmetry directions, the Fermi surface topology of the grown films has been investigated. Using ARPES, the spectral weight distribution at the Fermi level throughout large portions of the reciprocal space has been determined at particular perpendicular electron-momentum values. Systematically, the contours of the Fermi surface of these films reflected a sixfold symmetry instead of the threefold symmetry of Ag single crystal. This loss of symmetry has been attributed to the fact that these films appear to be composed by two sets of domains rotated 60$^o$ from each other. Extra, photoemission features at the Fermi level were also detected, which have been attributed to the presence of surface states and \textit{sp}-quantum states. The dimensionality of the Fermi surface of these films has been analyzed studying the dependence of the Fermi surface contours with the incident photon energy. The behavior of these contours measured at particular points along the Ag $\Gamma$L high-symmetry direction puts forward the three-dimensional character of the electronic structure of the films investigated.Comment: 10 pages, 12 figures, submitted to Physical Review

Impact of an intermittent and localized cooling intervention on skin temperature, sleep quality and energy expenditure in free-living, young, healthy adults

Where people live and work together it is not always possible to modify the ambient temperature; ways must therefore be found that allow individuals to feel thermally comfortable in such settings. The Embr Wave (R) is a wrist-worn device marketed as a 'personal thermostat' that can apply a local cooling stimulus to the skin. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of an intermittent mild cold stimulus of 25 degrees C for 15-20 s every 5 min over 3.5 days under free-living conditions on 1) skin temperature, 2) perception of skin temperature, 3) sleep quality and 4) resting energy expenditure (REE) in young, healthy adults. Ten subjects wore the device for 3.5 consecutive days. This intervention reduced distal skin temperature after correcting for personal ambient temperature (P = 0.051). Thus, this intermittent mild cold regime can reduce distal skin temperature, and wearing it under free-living conditions for 3.5 days does not seem to impair the perception of skin temperature and sleep quality or modify REE.The study was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness via the Fondo de Investigacion Sanitaria del Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI13/01393 and CB16/10/00239) and PTA 12264-I, Retos de la Sociedad (DEP2016-79512-R), and European Regional Development Funds (ERDF). Other funders included the Spanish Ministry of Education (FPU 16/05159, 15/04059 and 19/02326), the Fundacion Iberoamericana de Nutricion (FINUT), the Redes Tematicas De Investigacion Cooperativa RETIC (Red SAMID RD16/0022), the AstraZeneca Health Care Foundation, the University of Granada Plan Propio de Investigacion 2016 (Excellence actions: Unit of Excellence on Exercise, Nutrition and Health [UCEENS]), and by the Junta de Andalucia, Consejeria de Conocimiento, Investigacion y Universidades (ERDF, SOMM17/6107/UGR). AMT was supported by Seneca Foundation through grant 19899/GERM/15 and the Ministry of Science Innovation and Universities RTI2018-093528-B-I0, as well as DJP (MINECO; RYC-2014-16938). BMT was supported by an individual postdoctoral grant from the Fundacion Alfonso Martin Escudero. We thank Dr. Matt Smith of Embr Labs Inc. for configuring the Embr Wave (R) devices used in this experiment