ENEMIGOS NATURALES DE PLUTELLA XYLOSTELLA (L.), (LEPIDOPTERA, PLUTELLIDAE) EN PUERTO RICO

ENEMIGOS NATURALES DE PLUTELLA XYLOSTELLA (L.), (LEPIDOPTERA, PLUTELLIDAE) EN PUERTO RIC

Bacillus clausii for Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Narrative Literature Review

Bacillus clausii; Microbiota; DysbiosisBacillus clausii; Microbiota; DisbiosisBacillus clausii; Microbiota; DisbiosiThe gut microbiota is intrinsically linked to human health; disturbances in microbial homeostasis are implicated in both intestinal and extraintestinal disorders. Probiotics are “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host,” and many commercial preparations comprising a diverse range of species are available. While probiotics have been much researched, better understanding of the probiotic effects and applications of species such as Bacillus clausii is warranted. In this narrative literature review, we review the characteristics and mechanisms of action supporting B. clausii as a probiotic and discuss the evidence from clinical studies evaluating B. clausii probiotics for the management of a variety of gastrointestinal disorders and symptoms in children and adults. Finally, we highlight the challenges of future research and the need for more robust and diverse clinical evidence to guide physicians in the clinical application of probiotics for gastrointestinal disorders and other conditions.This study and the journal’s Rapid Service and Open Access Fees were funded by Sanofi

Computación con palabras para el análisis de factibilidad de proyectos de software

Objective: This paper proposes a method to analyze the technical, commercial and social feasibility of software projects in environments of uncertainty. It allows working with multiple experts and multiple criteria and facilitates decision-making.Method: The proposal contains two phases, first the necessary information is collected and in second place projects are evaluated using 2-tuple linguistic representation model. The experts are selected by analyzing their curricular synthesis. The evaluation criteria are defined using the technique Focus Group and weighted in the interval (0,1) according to their importance. three domains are offered to express the preferences: numeric, interval-valued and linguistic. For aggregation extended arithmetic mean and weighted average extended are used, preventing the loss of information. A 2-tuple (feasibility, precision) is obtained as a result for each project.Results: The evaluation of P1 project was a very high feasibility with -0,33 of precision. The P2 project obtained a high feasibility with 0,38 of precision and P3 project achieved a medium feasibility with -0,21 of precision.Conclusions: This method is favorable for software projects feasibility analysis with presence of multiple experts and criteria, in environments of uncertainty. It tries heterogeneous assessments without loss of information. Their results are consistent and useful for decision makers.Objetivo: Este trabajo propone un método para analizar la factibilidad técnica, comercial y social de proyectos de software en entornos de incertidumbre. Permite el trabajo con múltiples expertos y múltiples criterios y facilita la toma de decisiones.Método: La propuesta contiene dos fases, en la primera se recopila la información necesaria y en la segunda se evalúan los proyectos utilizando el modelo de representación lingüístico 2-tupla. Los expertos son seleccionados mediante el análisis de su síntesis curricular. Los criterios de evaluación son definidos utilizando la técnica Grupo Focal y ponderados en el intervalo (0,1) según su importancia. Se ofrecen tres dominios para expresar las valoraciones: numérico, intervalar y lingüístico. Para la agregación se emplean la media aritmética extendida y la media ponderada extendida, que evitan la pérdida de información. Como resultado se obtiene por cada proyecto el par (factibilidad, precisión).Resultado: El método se validó con tres proyectos, se evaluaron diez criterios y participaron seis expertos. La evaluación del proyecto p1 fue factibilidad muy alta con -0,33 de precisión, el proyecto p2 obtuvo una factibilidad alta con 0,38 de precisión y p3 alcanzó una factibilidad media con -0,21 de precisión.Conclusiones: Este método es una solución favorable para el análisis de factibilidad de proyectos de software con presencia de múltiples expertos y criterios en entornos de incertidumbre. Trata valoraciones heterogéneas sin pérdida de información. Sus resultados son consistentes y útiles para los decisores.

La Química contextualizada en el proceso de enseñanza – aprendizaje desde la dimensión ambiental

La contextualización didáctica como alternativa para la dirección del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de la Química, desde la dimensión ambiental en el proceso de formación inicial del Licenciado en Educación Química es imprescindible en la adquisición de conocimientos, habilidades y valores para la preservación del medio ambiente, aspecto que debe potenciarse desde el curso optativo. La flexibilidad del plan de estudios E favorece este propósito. Sin embargo, la aplicación de métodos teóricos y empíricos de investigación evidencian que aún existen dificultades en la integración hacia esa intención desde las disciplinas, reflejándose en la poca solidez de los conocimientos medioambientales en los estudiantes. La presente investigación tiene como objetivo socializar los resultados de la implementación de la asignatura Química y Educación Ambiental en diferentes contextos en el curso optativo, dentro de las transformaciones en la carrera; sus tendencias y su evolución histórica es de vital importancia para afrontar con éxito los desafíos que impone la sociedad. En tal sentido, la contextualización de este proceso alcanza significación, a partir de la coherencia y efectividad de las interacciones que se articulan en el contexto de enseñanza-aprendizaje. Se presenta el diagnóstico del estado actual del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje contextualizado de la Química desde la dimensión ambiental, con un reflejo de los referentes teóricos que sirven de sustento al proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de este contenido para la implementación que se propone.  Su puesta en práctica ha permitido a los docentes en formación de esta carrera, el desarrollo de exitosos procesos educativos donde desarrollan la práctica laboral

Novel synthetic routes of large-pore magnetic mesoporous nanocomposites (SBA-15/Fe3O4) as potential multifunctional theranostic nanodevices

In this paper, novel magnetic silica nanocomposites were prepared by anchoring magnetite nanoparticles onto the outer surface of mesoporous SBA-15 silica; the magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by microemulsion and solvothermal methods, varying the synthesis conditions in order to control the final physicochemical, textural and magnetic properties. The morphology and mesostructure of the materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), N2 adsorption–desorption, and Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscopy (TEM and SEM). Magnetic silica nanocomposites feature a two-dimensional hexagonal arrangement constituted by a homogeneous pore channel system with diameters between 13 and 18 nm and a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area higher than 260 m2 g−1. The different morphologies of the samples are given by the presence of diverse magnetic nanoparticle arrangements covalently linked onto the outer surface of the mesoporous silica rods. This confers on them a superparamagnetic behaviour with a magnetic response between 50–80 emu g−1, even though the weight percent of magnetite present in the samples does not exceed 21.7%. In addition, the magnetic nanocomposites exhibit magnetic hyperthermia with moderate Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) valuesThis work was supported in part by MINECO (Spain) and FEDER Funds (projects MAT 2015-67458-P and CTQ2016-79461-R); and the European Commission (PANA project, Call H2020-NMP-2015-two-stage, Grant 686009; and the MADIA project, Call H2020-ICT-2016-1, Grant 732678)S

Cubic Liquid Crystalline Structures in diluted, concentrated and highly concentrated emulsions for topical application: influence on drug release and human skin permeation

Novel emulsions with a nanostructured continuous phase have been proposed as controlled drug delivery systems to enhance topical delivery of active ingredients avoiding systemic effects. In this study, oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions with two surfactant/water (S/W) weight ratios of 40:60 and 35:65, and oil concentrations of 10 wt% (diluted emulsion), 40 wt% (concentrated emulsion) and 85 wt% (highly concentrated emulsion) have been investigated to identify the presence of liquid crystalline structures and their influence on drug release and skin permeation. The emulsions have been characterized in terms of visual appearance, rheology and drug release. The presence of cubic liquid crystalline structures in emulsions with S/W 40:60 was confirmed by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Rheology results showed a markedly different behaviour in emulsions with S/W 40:60 compared with nonstructured emulsions. A model drug, diclofenac sodium (DS) was successfully incorporated in the emulsions. DS release was studied with hydrophilic and lipophilic membranes, and the amount of DS in the receptor solution was significantly lower in the formulations containing cubic liquid structures. An in vitro skin permeation study with dermatomed human skin showed that emulsions with a nanostructured continuous phase are suitable formulations for topical delivery with DS retention in skin layers. The results indicate that the amount of drug retained in skin structures may be tuned by modification of liquid crystal concentration and emulsion structure

EGFR-Based Immunoisolation as a Recovery Target for Low-EpCAM CTC Subpopulation

Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) play a key role in the metastasis process, as they are responsible for micrometastasis and are a valuable tool for monitoring patients in real-time. Moreover, efforts to develop new strategies for CTCs isolation and characterisation, and the translation of CTCs into clinical practice needs to overcome the limitation associated with the sole use of Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) expression to purify this tumour cell subpopulation. CTCs are rare events in the blood of patients and are believed to represent the epithelial population from a primary tumour of epithelial origin, thus EpCAM immunoisolation is considered an appropriate strategy. The controversy stems from the impact that the more aggressive mesenchymal tumour phenotypes might have on the whole CTC population. In this work, we first characterised a panel of cell lines representative of tumour heterogeneity, confirming the existence of tumour cell subpopulations with restricted epithelial features and supporting the limitations of EpCAM-based technologies. We next developed customised polystyrene magnetic beads coated with antibodies to efficiently isolate the phenotypically different subpopulations of CTCs from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with metastatic cancer. Besides EpCAM, we propose Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) as an additional isolation marker for efficient CTCs detection.This work was supported by Axencia Galega de Innovación (Xunta de Galicia) and InveNNta (Innovation in Nanomedicine), cofinanced by the European Union (EU) through the Operational Programme for Cross-border Cooperation: Spain-Portugal (POCTEP 2007-2013), and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)S

Electrospun fibres of an elastin-like polymer functionalized with an antimicrobial domain

This work describes the production and characterization of nanofibres of a functionalized elastin-like recombinamer (ELR). The polymer was functionalized with an antimicrobial peptide domain by means of recombinant DNA technology and processed by electrospinning. The electrospun fibres were characterized for their morphology, physical-chemical, antimicrobial and cytotoxicity properties. The electrospun membranes showed no cytotoxicity against skin-related cell lines, suggesting the potential applicability of these materials for skin tissue engineering.This work was supported by FEDER through POFC – COMPETE and by Portuguese funds from FCT through the project PEst-OE/BIA/UI4050/2014. By the Spanish Minister of Economy and Competitiveness (MAT2012-38043-C02-01) and Junta de Castilla y León-JCyL (VA152A12-2 and VA155A12-2), Spain. AC, VS and RM, acknowledge FCT for SFRH/BD/75882/2011, SFRH/BPD/63148/2009 and SFRH-BPD/86470/2012 grants, respectively. The authors also thank support from the COST Action MP1206 “Electrospun Nano-fibres for bio inspired composite materials and innovative industrial applications”.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Electrocatalytic performance and stability of nanostructured Fe–Ni pyrite-type diphosphide catalyst supported on carbon paper

A simple and effective method to prepare an active and stable nanostructured working electrode for electrochemical water splitting is described. Specifically, mixed Fe–Ni diphosphide was prepared by sputtering a 200-nm-thick layer of Permalloy onto carbon paper gas diffusion layer followed by gas transport phosphorization reaction. The mass density of the resultant diphosphide phase was established to be 1.1 mg/cm2. Energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis shows that the actual elemental composition of the resultant ternary electrocatalyst is approximately Fe0.2Ni0.8P2, while the powder X-ray diffraction analysis confirms that the electrocatalyst crystallizes in NiP2 cubic pyrite-like structure. As a cathode for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic and alkaline electrolytes, this earth-abundant electrode has exchange current densities of 6.84103 and 3.16103 mA/cm2 and Tafel slopes of 55.3 and 72.2 mV/dec, respectively. As an anode for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline electrolyte, the electrode shows an exchange current density of 2.88104 mA/cm2 and Tafel slope of 49.3 mV/dec. The observed high activity of the electrode correlates well with its electronic structure, which was assessed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The stability of Fe0.2Ni0.8P2 electrocatalyst in HER and OER was evaluated by means of accelerated degradation test and chronopotentiometry. The results of these experiments elucidate partial dissolution and entire chemical transformation of Fe0.2Ni0.8P2 as the main mechanisms of the electrode degradation during HER and OER, respectively. Overall, our findings could facilitate the composition-based design of active, stable, and durable phosphide electrodes for electrochemical water splitting.We thank all members of the Nanomaterials Synthesis Unit at the INL for their fruitful scientific and technical input, as well as Dr. X. Wang for his help with the electrocatalytic data analysis. This investigation has benefited from the financial support provided by the European Union Horizon 2020 NMP programme through the CritCat project under grant agreement no. 686053, as well as ERDF funds through the Portuguese Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalization (COMPETE 2020), and National Funds through the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), under the PrintPV project PTDC/CTM-ENE/5387/2014 (grant agreement no. 016663). J.D.C. thanks the FCT PhD grant SFRH/BD/79393/2011, while J.L.L. thanks Marie-Curie-ITN607904-SPINOGRAPH project for the PhD grant

Adsorption of marine phycotoxin okadaic acid on a covalent organic framework

Phycotoxins, compounds produced by some marine microalgal species, can reach high concentrations in the sea when a massive proliferation occurs, the so-called harmful algal bloom. These compounds are especially dangerous to human health when concentrated in the digestive glands of seafood. In order to generate an early warning system to alert for approaching toxic outbreaks, it is very important to improve monitoring methods of phycotoxins in aquatic ecosystems. Solid-phase adsorption toxin tracking devices reported thus far based on polymeric resins have not been able to provide an efficient harmful algal bloom prediction system due to their low adsorption capabilities. In this work, a water-stable covalent organic framework (COF) was evaluated as adsorbent for the hydrophobic toxin okadaic acid, one of the most relevant marine toxins and the parental compound of the most common group of toxins responsible for the diarrhetic shellfish poisoning. Adsorption kinetics of okadaic acid onto the COF in seawater showed that equilibrium concentration was reached in only 60 min, with a maximum experimental adsorption of 61 mg g1. Desorption of okadaic acid from the COF was successful with both 70% ethanol and acetonitrile as solvent, and the COF material could be reused with minor losses in adsorption capacity for three cycles. The results demonstrate that COF materials are promising candidates for solid-phase adsorption in water monitoring devices.This article is a result of the project Nanotechnology Based Functional Solutions (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000019), supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE2020) under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no. 600375.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio