Environment and innovation in spanish business: bridging the gap between academics and practitioners

Las últimas décadas han traído un aumento en el número de soluciones eco-innovadoras con distintos niveles de mejora medioambiental. Gracias a ellas, las empresas pueden mantener su posición competitiva mejorando su performance medioambiental. No obstante, la implantación de la eco-innovación entraña dificultades, por lo que el número de eco-innovaciones implantadas en la empresa española es todavía limitado. En este escenario, este trabajo proporciona una conceptualización de los procesos eco-innovadores para su adopción en empresas. Se analizan asimismo las barreras y los incentivos más relevantes, profundizando acerca de las capacidades específicas y los cambios de interés para los practitioners

Light triggered detection of aminophenyl phosphate with a quantum dot based enzyme electrode

An electrochemical sensor for p-aminophenyl phosphate (pAPP) is reported. It is based on the electrochemical conversion of 4-aminophenol (4AP) at a quantum dot (QD) modified electrode under illumination. Without illumination no electron transfer and thus no oxidation of 4AP can occur. pAPP as substrate is converted by the enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP) to generate 4AP as a product. The QDs are coupled via 1,4-benzenedithiol (BDT) linkage to the surface of a gold electrode and thus allow potential-controlled photocurrent generation. The photocurrent is modified by the enzyme reaction providing access to the substrate detection. In order to develop a photobioelectrochemical sensor the enzyme is immobilized on top of the photo-switchable layer of the QDs. Immobilization of ALP is required for the potential possibility of spatially resolved measurements. Geometries with immobilized ALP are compared versus having the ALP in solution. Data indicate that functional immobilization with layer-by-layer assembly is possible. Enzymatic activity of ALP and thus the photocurrent can be described by Michaelis- Menten kinetics. pAPP is detected as proof of principle investigation within the range of 25 μM - 1 mM

Educating for the future: How higher education in environmental management affects pro-environmental behaviour

This study analyses whether and how environmental education determines the adoption of pro-environmental behaviours. We conducted an experiment on 222 business administration students to examine this relationship from two theoretical approaches: instrumental and emancipatory perspectives. Structural equation modelling shows that environmental education in higher education affects pro-environmental behaviour, but only in an indirect way, i.e., through the knowledge–concern–willingness model. These results confirm the emancipatory perspective of higher environmental management education in detriment of instrumental counterpart. Thus, this research sheds light on the current theoretical debate around both perspectives and it offers important implications for both educators and policy makers in designing business educational programmes

Multiphoton imaging of melanoma 3D models with plasmonic nanocapsules

We report the synthesis of plasmonic nanocapsules and the cellular responses they induce in 3D melanoma models for their perspective use as a photothermal therapeutic agent. The wall of the nanocapsules is composed of polyelectrolytes. The inner part is functionalized with discrete gold nanoislands. The cavity of the nanocapsules contains a fluorescent payload to show their ability for loading a cargo. The nanocapsules exhibit simultaneous two-photon luminescent, fluorescent properties and X-ray contrasting ability. The average fluorescence lifetime (τ) of the nanocapsules measured with FLIM (0.3 ns) is maintained regardless of the intracellular environment, thus proving their abilities for bioimaging of models such as 3D spheroids with a complex architecture. Their multimodal imaging properties are exploited for the first time to study tumorspheres cellular responses exposed to the nanocapsules. Specifically, we studied cellular uptake, toxicity, intracellular fate, generation of reactive oxygen species, and effect on the levels of hypoxia by using multi-photon and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Because of the high X-ray attenuation and atomic number of the gold nanostructure, we imaged the nanocapsule-cell interactions without processing the sample. We confirmed maintenance of the nanocapsules’ geometry in the intracellular milieu with no impairment of the cellular ultrastructure. Furthermore, we observed the lack of cellular toxicity and no alteration in oxygen or reactive oxygen species levels. These results in 3D melanoma models contribute to the development of these nanocapsules for their exploitation in future applications as agents for imaging-guided photothermal therapy. Statement of Significance: The novelty of the work is that our plasmonic nanocapsules are multimodal. They are responsive to X-ray and to multiphoton and single-photon excitation. This allowed us to study their interaction with 2D and 3D cellular structures and specifically to obtain information on tumor cell parameters such as hypoxia, reactive oxygen species, and toxicity. These nanocapsules will be further validated as imaging-guided photothermal probe

α-Galactosidase-A Loaded-Nanoliposomes with Enhanced Enzymatic Activity and Intracellular Penetration

Lysosomal storage disorders (LSD) are caused by lysosomal dysfunction usually as a consequence of deficiency of a single enzyme required for the metabolism of macromolecules, such as lipids, glycoproteins, and mucopolysaccharides. For instance, the lack of α-galactosidase A (GLA) activity in Fabry disease patients causes the accumulation of glycosphingolipids in the vasculature leading to multiple organ pathology. Enzyme replacement therapy, which is the most common treatment of LSD, exhibits several drawbacks mainly related to the instability and low efficacy of the exogenously administered therapeutic enzyme. In this work, the unprecedented increased enzymatic activity and intracellular penetration achieved by the association of a human recombinant GLA to nanoliposomes functionalized with Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic acid (RGD) peptides is reported. Moreover, these new GLA loaded nanoliposomes lead to a higher efficacy in the reduction of the GLA substrate named globotriasylceramide in a cellular model of Fabry disease, than that achieved by the same concentration of the free enzyme. The preparation of these new liposomal formulations by DELOS-SUSP, based on the depressurization of a CO-expanded liquid organic solution, shows the great potential of this CO-based methodology for the one-step production of protein-nanoliposome conjugates as bioactive nanomaterials with therapeutic interest. α-galactosidase-A-(GLA)-loaded nano-liposomes functionalized with Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic acid (RGD) peptides are successfully prepared by using compressed CO. This nanoformulation shows an unprecedented increase of the GLA enzymatic activity and intracellular penetration, in comparison to the free enzyme. Moreover, these nanoconjugates lead to a higher efficacy in the reduction of the GLA substrate named globotriasylceramide (Gb3), in a cellular model of Fabry disease, than that achieved by the free enzyme.We acknowledge financial support from Instituto de Salud Carlos III, through “Acciones CIBER”. The Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN) is an initiative funded by the VI National R&D&I Plan 2008-2011, Iniciativa Ingenio 2010, Consolider Program, CIBER Actions and financed by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III with assistance from the European Regional Development Fund. The authors appreciate the financial support through the “Development of nanomedicines for enzymatic replacement therapy in Fabry disease” project, granted by the Fundació Marató TV3, BE-WELL (CTQ2013-40480-R) project granted by DGI (Spain), GenCat (2014-SGR-17) project financed by DGR (Catalunya), LIPOCELL project financed by CIBER-BBN and Praxis Pharmaceuticals, TERARMET (RTC-2014-2207-1) project financed by MEC (Spain) and excellence Grant CTS-6270 financed by “Junta de Andalucía>. The authors wish also to thank the Microscopy Service of UAB, especially Pablo Castro for the technical support in taking the Cryo-TEM images, and Mª Eugenia López Sánchez and Natalia García Aranda for their technical assistance in the in vitro activity assays. AV is recipient of an ICREA Academia (Generalitat de Catalunya) award. We acknowledge EMBL and Electra synchrotrons for beamtime allocation, and H. Amenitsch, B. Marmilori and B. Sartori for technical support at the SAXS beamline. Access to the synchrotron facility is supported by the BioStructX program (nº BIOSTRUCTX_1093). We also acknowledge computer time at the Minotauro-BSC supercomputer from the Red Española de Supercomputación (RES).Peer Reviewe

Implementing Horizon Scanning as a tool for the strategic development of regulatory guidelines for nanotechnology-enabled health products

Strategic regulatory development is essential to ensure that new innovations in nanotechnology-enabled health products (NHPs) successfully reach the market and benefit patients. Currently, the lack of specific regulatory guidelines for NHPs is considered one of the primary causes of the so-called “valley of death” in these products, impacting both current and future advancements. In this study, we have implemented a methodology to anticipate key trends in NHP development and compare them with the current regulatory landscape applicable to NHPs. This methodology relies on Horizon Scanning, a tool commonly used by policymakers to foresee future needs and proactively shape a regulatory framework tailored to those needs. Through the application of this methodology, different trends in NHP have been identified, notably NHPs for drug delivery and dental applications. Furthermore, the most disruptive elements involve NHPs that are multicomposite and multifunctional, harnessing nano-scale properties to combine therapeutic and diagnostic purposes within a single product. When compared with the regulatory landscape, current regulations are gradually adapting to accommodate emerging trends, with specific guidelines being developed. However, for the most disruptive elements, multicomposite and multifunctional NHPs, their novelty still poses significant regulatory challenges, requiring a strategic development of guidelines by regulatory agencies to ensure their safe and effective integration into healthcare practices. This study underscores the importance of proactive regulatory planning to bridge the gap between NHP innovation and market implementation

Classification system for nanotechnology-enabled health products with both scientific and regulatory application

The lack of specific regulatory guidelines for nanotechnology-enabled health products (NHPs) is hampering development and patient access to these innovative technologies. Namely, there is an urgent need for harmonized regulatory definitions and classification systems that allow establishing a standardized framework for NHPs regulatory assessment. In this work, a novel classification system for NHPs is proposed. This classification can be applied for sorting nano-based innovations and regulatory guidelines according to the type of NHPs they address. Said methodology combines scientific and regulatory principles and it is based on the following criteria: principal mode of action, chemical composition, medical purpose and nanomanufacturing approach. This classification system could serve as a useful tool to sensor the state of the art of NHPs which is particularly useful for regulators to support strategy development of regulatory guidelines. Additionally, this tool would also allow manufacturers of NHPs to align their development plans with their applicable guidelines and standards and thus fulfill regulators expectations

Estudio DISCREPA: tratamiento de la enfermedad de Parkinson avanzada y utilización de terapias de segunda línea en Cataluña.

Introducción. El tratamiento de la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) es complejo y la instauración de terapias de segunda línea en la EP avanzada sigue siendo controvertida. Objetivo. Analizar la asistencia de pacientes con EP en Cataluña, con especial atención a la utilización de las terapias de segunda línea en la EP avanzada. Sujetos y métodos. Encuesta en línea autoadministrada a través de la Societat Catalana de Neurologia a neurólogos de Cataluña que atendían a pacientes con EP. Resultados. Participaron 72 neurólogos que visitaban una media mensual de 38 pacientes con EP (el 37,3% con complicaciones motoras). El 86% preguntaba rutinariamente por complicaciones motoras. Los principales motivos para indicar terapias de segunda línea fueron la discapacidad en off (83,1%), el impacto de las discinesias (76,9%), el impacto del tiempo en off (75,4%) y el tiempo en off (73,8%). El 70% de los neurólogos declaró limitaciones para instaurar terapias de segunda línea: escasez de recursos en su hospital, falta de tiempo para visitar al paciente o para realizar tareas administrativas y falta de soporte de enfermería (33,3%). No se utilizan terapias de segunda línea en el 72% de los pacientes que podrían ser potencialmente candidatos, sobre todo por rechazo del paciente (37,9%). Conclusiones. La mayoría de los neurólogos en Cataluña que visitan pacientes con EP pregunta rutinariamente por complicaciones motoras sin utilizar herramientas específicas. Aunque los neurólogos conocen bien las indicaciones de instauración de terapias de segunda línea, la negativa del paciente, la falta de tiempo y la falta de protocolos asistenciales definidos para derivar a pacientes pueden contribuir a una menor utilización de terapias de segunda línea en la EP avanzada. Palabras clave. Enfermedad de Parkinson. Estimulación cerebral profunda. Fluctuaciones motoras. Infusión de apomorfina. Infusión intraduodenal de levodopa-carbidopa. Tratamiento invasivo

Escribir en la universidad: aplicación de nuevas tecnologías

Depto. de Lengua Española y Teoría de la LiteraturaFac. de FilologíaFALSEsubmitte