Sensitive monitoring of enterobacterial contamination of food using self-propelled Janus microsensors

Food poisoning caused by bacteria is a major cause of disease and death worldwide. Herein we describe the use of Janus micromotors as mobile sensors for the detection of toxins released by enterobacteria as indicators of food contamination. The micromotors are prepared by a Pickering emulsion approach and rely on the simultaneous encapsulation of platinum nanoparticles for enhanced bubble-propulsion and receptor-functionalized quantum dots (QDs) for selective binding with the 3-deoxy-o-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid target in the endotoxin molecule. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Salmonella enterica were used as target endotoxins, which upon interaction with the QDs induce a rapid quenching of the native fluorescence of the micromotors in a concentration-dependent manner. The micromotor assay can readily detect concentrations as low as 0.07 ng mL(-1) of endotoxin, which is far below the level considered toxic to humans (275 mu g mL(-1)). Micromotors have been successfully applied for the detection of Salmonella toxin in food samples in 15 min compared with several hours required by the existing Gold Standard method. Such ultrafast and reliable approach holds considerable promise for food contamination screening while awaiting the results of bacterial cultures in a myriad of food safety and security defense applications.Ministerio de Economía y CompetitividadComunidad de Madri

Visible light driven Janus microvehicles in biological media

A light-driven multifunctional Janus micromotor for the removal of bacterial endotoxins and heavy metals is described. The micromotor was assembled by using the biocompatible polymer polycaprolactone for the encapsulation of CdTe or CdSe@ZnS quantum dots (QDs) as photoactive materials and an asymmetric Fe3O4 patch for propulsion. The micromotors can be activated with visible light (470-490 nm) to propel in peroxide or glucose media by a diffusiophoretic mechanism. Efficient propulsion was observed for the first time in complex samples such as human blood serum. These properties were exploited for efficient endotoxin removal using lipopolysaccharides from Escherichia coli O111:B4 as a model toxin. The micromotors were also used for mercury removal by cationic exchange with the CdSe@ZnS core-shell QDs. Cytotoxicity assays in HeLa cell lines demonstrated the high biocompatibility of the micromotors for future detoxification applications.Ministerio de Ciencia e InnovaciónEuropean CommissionComunidad de Madri

Thyroid hormone-mediated activation of the ERK/dual specificity phosphatase 1 pathway augments the apoptosis of GH4C1 cells by down-regulating nuclear factor-κB activity

14 pages, 5 figures.Thyroid hormone (T3) plays a crucial role in processes such as cell proliferation and differentiation, whereas its implication on cellular apoptosis has not been well documented. Here we examined the effect of T3 on the apoptosis of GH4C1 pituitary cells and the mechanisms underlying this effect. We show that T3 produced a significant increase in apoptosis in serum-depleted conditions. This effect was accompanied by a decrease in nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB)-dependent transcription, IkappaBalpha phosphorylation, translocation of p65/NF-kappaB to the nucleus, phosphorylation, and transactivation. Moreover, these effects were correlated with a T3-induced decrease in the expression of antiapoptotic gene products, such as members of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein and Bcl-2 families. On the other hand, ERK but not c-Jun N-terminal kinase or MAPK p38, was activated upon exposure to T3, and inhibition of ERK alone abrogated T3-mediated apoptosis. In addition, T3 increased the expression of the MAPK phosphatase, dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1), in an ERK-dependent manner. Interestingly, the suppression of DUSP1 expression abrogated T3-induced inhibition of NF-kappaB-dependent transcription and p65/NF-kappaB translocation to the nucleus, as well as T3-mediated apoptosis. Overall, our results indicate that T3 induces apoptosis in rat pituitary tumor cells by down-regulating NF-kappaB activity through a mechanism dependent on the ERK/DUSP1 pathway.This work was supported by grants from the Fundación Mutua Madrileña (2005X0615), from Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (PI070832), from Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (BFU2004 3465), from Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (RD06/0020/0036), and the European grant CRESCENDO (FP-018652). A.S.-P. and M.L. are recipients of grants from the Spanish MEC (“Ramón y Cajal” Program).Peer reviewe

D-chiro-inositol prevents memory deficits in the 3xTg mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease in a sex-dependent manner.

Subida por la tutora, a petición de Beatriz Pacheco Sánchez.Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is recognized as an age-related neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by the aggregation and deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) in plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) composed of aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau, a microtubule-associated protein. Sporadic AD, the most prevalent form of the disease, has been proposed to be associated with alterations on insulin signaling. Insulin regulates a series of cognitive processes, such as learning and memory formation and emerging data demonstrate pivotal roles for brain insulin resistance and insulin deficiency as mediators of neurodegeneration, particularly in AD. The present study describes the effect of oral dietary administration of D-Chiro-inositol (DCI), an inositol used against insulin resistance, on the occurrence of the cognitive impairment of 3xTg-AD mice. This so called “triple‐ transgenic mice” model mimics many critical aspects of AD neuropathology. To this end, we analysed the effects of daily oral administration DCI 200 mg/Kg/day in male and female 3xTg and WT mice of 9 and 3 months of age. In addition to the evaluation of memory on the Novel Object Recognition, both the locomotion and time in the centre zone of an open field (OF), and the locomotion and anxiety-like behaviour in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test, were monitored. Our results showed that the exploration time of the new object was remarkably higher in the male 3xTg-DCI group when compared to those obtained from the 3xTg-vehicle and WT- vehicle groups at a middle and older age (3 and 9 months). When the center exploration time was analyzed in OPF test, three-way ANOVA showed an effect of the genotype in middle-aged animals. In the EPM test, only 9 months old 3xtg-DCI females were more prone to explore the open-arm, suggesting DCI decreases anxiety levels related to AD. In conclusion, our study suggest that DCI prevents and improves in a sex-dependent manner, the cognitive impairment associated to AD.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Visible Light Communication System Using an Organic Bulk Heterojunction Photodetector

A visible light communication (VLC) system using an organic bulk heterojunction photodetector (OPD) is presented. The system has been successfully proven indoors with an audio signal. The emitter consists of three commercial high-power white LEDs connected in parallel. The receiver is based on an organic photodetector having as active layer a blend of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). The OPD is opto-electrically characterized, showing a responsivity of 0.18 A/W and a modulation response of 790 kHz at -6 V.This work has been supported by Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid under project S2009/ESP-1781.Publicad

Analysis of the expression of metabolic sensors and inflammation mediators in the brain of animals with genetic obesity exposed to adiponectin activator NP1

Drug treatment strategies that interfere with adipokines secreted by adipose tissue, such as adiponectin and leptin, have been recently developed for treating obesity. Adiponectin is able of reducing both, food intake and body weight through both,  its action on the hypothalamus, and concerted actions on glucose and insulin sensitivity, and oxidation of fatty acids in peripheral tissues. Furthermore, in vitro studies have shown that adiponectin attenuates inflammation in endothelial, muscle and macrophage cells. Leptin acts synergistically with adiponectin in the regulation of energy balance, inhibiting food intake, and being its levels regulated in the hypothalamus through the endocannabinoid system and the peptides NPY/AgRP, POMC and orexins. Therefore, the restoration of normal adiponectin levels can be considered a good clinical option for the treatment of obesity. Recently, a new thiazole-derived drug called NP-1 has been described as an adiponectin promoter activator able to promote adiponectin release. We investigated the effects of NP-1 in the hypothalamus of lean (fa/-) and obese (fa/fa) leptin signaling deficient Zucker rats, after a 15-day exposure to vehicle or NP-1 (5 mg/Kg). Brains were removed and frozen and the hypothalamus was dissected out from a coronal section, following the rodent atlas of Paxinos. Protein extraction was performed from the obtained tissue to analyze it by Western Blot, and RNA was isolated to determine gene expression by RT-qPCR. Treatment with NP-1 increased circulating TNFα, which led to weight loss through decreased intake. NP-1 reduced the expression of adiponectin and TNF α receptors in the hypothalamus. It also reduced mRNA expression of intake promoters such as NPY, AGRP and hypocretin-1, and a specific obesity-dependent modulation of POMC. Leptin deficiency-induced obesity was associated with specific insulin resistance preventing NP-1-induced sensitization of insulin signaling (Phosphorylation of IRS1 and PI3K) in lean animals. Finally, NP-1 was able to decrease ERK1/ERk2 and NFkB activation, suggesting reduced inflammation of the hypothalamus. In conclusión, NP-1 modulates feeding through increased TNFα and regulation of hypothalamic neuropeptides without increasing inflammation

Health related quality of life improvement in chronic non-specific neck pain: secondary analysis from a single blinded, randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic non-specific neck pain is related to limited cervical mobility, impaired function, neck muscles myofascial pain syndrome, and stress at work. The aforementioned factors are strongly related and may lead to a negative impact on health-related quality of life. There are some effective conservative Physical therapy interventions for treating chronic non-specific neck pain. Currently, Deep Dry Needling is emerging as an alternative for improving symptoms and consequently, the quality of life in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain. The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of Deep Dry Needling of myofascial trigger points on health-related quality of life improvement, as a secondary analysis, in people with chronic non-specific neck pain. METHODS: A randomized parallel-group blinded controlled clinical trial was conducted at a public Primary Health Care Centre in Madrid, Spain, from January 2011 to September 2014. One hundred thirty subjects with chronic non-specific neck pain and active myofascial trigger points in neck muscles were randomly allocated into two groups. Subjects in the intervention group (n = 65) were treated with Deep Dry Needling in active myofascial trigger points plus stretching in neck muscles; Control group (n = 65) received only stretching. Both interventions lasted 2 weeks, 2 sessions per week. Health-related quality of life was measured with Short Form-36 (SF-36), in 5 assessments: at baseline, after intervention period; and at 1, 3 and 6 months after intervention. RESULTS: For both groups, SF-36 mean values increased in all dimensions in every assessment. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in favor of the intervention group for all dimensions at the last assessment. For some dimensions (physical function, physical role, social function and vitality), the evidence was more consistent from the beginning. CONCLUSIONS: Deep Dry Needling plus stretching is more effective than stretching alone for Health-related quality of life improvement, especially for physical function, physical role, social function and vitality dimensions, in people with non-specific neck pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN22726482 . Registered 9 October 2011

Metodologías activas y trabajo por proyectos: educar a través del teatro

Educating in values and providing primaryschoolstudents with skillsisan unavoidable educational duty. The aim of this paper is to create a programme for the conveyance of values and the acquisition of skills through theatre. The purpose will be to help teachers and tutors to introduce and develop the values and competencies proposed in the current legislation with a highly motivating activity increasingly recognized within the field of active methodologies. For this reason, we legally and theoretically justify the elements that define the Education in values; seek arguments and evidence that justify the use of the theatre as an introductory tool to the value-based teaching and learning process; and prove that the theatre is a highly motivating and unifying tool for the entire educational community throughout the the development of a proposal. In general terms, it can be observed that this activity makes students feel like protagonists, establishing and complying with rules and commitments that they themselves have set, improving the classroom climate.Educar en valores y dotar de competencias a los alumnos de Educación Primaria es un deber educativo irrenunciable. El objetivo de este trabajo es crear un programa de trasmisión de valores y adquisición de competencias a través del teatro. El fin será facilitar a maestros y tutores poder introducir y desarrollar trasversalmente los valores y competencias propuestos en la legislación vigente con una actividad altamente motivadora y reconocida cada vez más dentro del campo de las metodologías activas. Para ello justificamos legal y teóricamente los aspectos que definen la educación en valores; buscamos argumentos y evidencias que justifiquen la utilización del teatro como herramienta de introducción a la enseñanza y aprendizaje de los valores; y desarrollamos una propuesta cuya implementación permita validar este género como herramienta altamente motivadora y aglutinadora de intereses de toda la comunidad educativa. En líneas generales se ha probado que este tipo de actividades hacen que los alumnos se sientan protagonistas, establezcan y cumplan unas normas y compromisos que ellos mismos establecen, y el clima de aula mejore

Tendencias y avances de investigación sobre Inclusión Financiera: un análisis bibliométrico

El objetivo de este estudio es analizar los avances de la investigación en el campo de la inclusión financiera mediante un análisis bibliométrico. Los resultados están basados en una muestra de 144 artículos, los cuales muestran una tendencia creciente en el número de trabajos publicados y citas, a lo largo de los últimos 25 años. El análisis de las diferentes fuentes, revistas y países en donde se aborda una temática es uno de los métodos más utilizados para ofrecer una visión objetiva de los avances investigativos con respecto a un tema en particular, mediante el uso de tablas de datos, gráficas y diagramas estratégicos. En este sentido, el autor más representativo de esta línea de investigación es Asongu Simplice, procedente de Nigeria, quien destaca trabajos de coautoría con Odhiambo Nicholas. Asimismo, se puede destacar que la institución más productiva es la Universidad de Melbourne y el país que tiene una mayor participación fue Estados Unidos. Los resultados, producto de este trabajo, identifican las tendencias de investigación más remarcables y sirven como soporte para futuras investigaciones; una de estas sería las diferencias que existen en las “mejores prácticas” de inclusión financiera en economías desarrolladas y emergentes

Realización de criterios de valoración sobre el trabajo por proyectos a partir de la observación directa de la metodología en un caso real de un aula de educación infantil

The studies of training for teaching, in Primary Education and Early Childhood Education, have allowed to know different methodologies and educational models, as well as the learning of professional skills, attitudes and competences that are required to practice teaching. In the case of Project Work methodology, despite having its origin several centuries ago, it is currently booming in Spain, being implemented especially in Early Childhood education classrooms, so it has been decided to expand the information on this methodology. For this reason, it has been necessary to resort to the review of various studies and examples of practical applications, carried out in some educational centers. The selection criteria of the school selected for this study, was framed within the context of the choice of centers for the development of Practicum IIIat the University of Valladolid,after prior investigation of thosecenters wherethis methodology was worked and carried out. This is how the choice of school allowed both direct observation of teaching practice in an Early Childhood classroom with 22 4-year-old students, as well as an evaluation of the practical application of the Project Work Methodology, under the focus of the following approach: are the criteria that this methodology follows being met? During the observed practice, data were obtained and 8 criteria were constructed to assess the observed practice. Likewise, a proposal for improvement has been made based on what the author of this work has contrasted with the methodological principles for the application of Project Work, following a logical order according to the proposed evaluation criteria and responding to: What says the theory?, What was observed in the real practice of the classroom? and ‘the improvement proposal: What would I do?Los estudios de formación para la docencia, en Educación Primaria y Educación Infantil, han permitido conocer diferentes metodologías y modelos educativos,así como el aprendizaje de destrezas, actitudes y competencias profesionales que se exigen para ejercer la docencia. En el caso de la metodología del Trabajo por Proyectos, a pesar de tener su origen hace varios siglos, es actualmente cuando está en auge en España, implementándose sobre todo en las aulas de Educación Infantil, por lo que se ha decidido ampliar la información sobre esta metodología. Por ello, ha sido necesario recurrir a la revisión de diversos estudios y ejemplos de aplicaciones prácticas, ejecutadas en algunos centros educativos. El criterio de selección del colegio para este estudio, estuvo enmarcado dentro del contexto de la elección de centros para el desarrollo del Practicum III en la Universidad de Valladolid, tras la investigación previa de aquellos centros donde trabajaban y llevaban a cabo esta metodología.Es así cómo la escogencia del colegio, permitió tanto la observación directa sobre la práctica docente en un aula de Educación Infantil con 22 estudiantes de 4 años, así como realizar una evaluación de la aplicación práctica de la Metodología del Trabajo por Proyectos, bajo el foco del siguiente planteamiento: ¿se están cumpliendo los criterios que sigue esta metodología? Durante la práctica observada, se fueron obteniendo datos y se construyeron  8 criterios que permiten valorar la práctica observada. Asimismo, se ha realizado una propuesta de mejora sustentada en lo que la autora de este trabajo ha contrastado con los principios metodológicos para la aplicación del Trabajo por Proyectos, siguiendo un orden lógico de acuerdo a los criterios de evaluación propuestos y respondiendo a: ¿Qué dice la teoría?, ¿Qué se observó en la práctica real del aula? y ‘la propuesta de mejora: ¿Qué haría yo