69 research outputs found

    Características físicoquímicas y sensoriales de cuatro músculos de cerdos de cruce comercial sacrificados a 130 kg de peso vivo

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    In Spain, a sizeable proportion of pigs are slaughtered above 100 kg of body weight because are mainly intended for dry-cured ham elaboration. The chance of finding pork cuts differentiated by quality, which might be intended for fresh meat consumption, would optimize the production of heavy carcasses. The aim of this work was to evaluate the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of four muscles from heavy pigs. A total of 14 Duroc × (Landrace × Large White) gilts were slaughtered at 130 kg of body weight. From each carcass, the following muscles (two per carcass) were excised: Longissimus thoracis (LT), Psoas major (PM), Lattissimus dorsi (LD) and Serratus ventralis (SV). Several physical (color, moisture losses and resistance to cutting), chemical (intramuscular fat content and its fatty acid profile) and sensorial (attributes related to aroma, flavor, texture and acceptability) characteristics were evaluated. The LT had the highest fibrousness and the lowest water holding capacity indicators, tenderness and juiciness. The PM showed the lowest intramuscular fat and monounsaturated fatty acid contents and fibrousness, and the highest moisture, C18:2n6 and polyunsaturated fatty acid proportions. The LD had the highest yellowness and intensity of fat odor and flavor. The SV provided the highest intramuscular fat content and red color, and the lowest resistance to cutting. All muscles had similar score in global acceptability. There were several interesting physicochemical and sensory differences among the muscles studied which suggest that they might be commercialized individually as meat cuts of differentiated quality optimizing the use of heavy pig carcasses.En España, una proporción considerable de cerdos son sacrificados a pesos elevados destinándose a la elaboración de jamón curado. La posibilidad de encontrar piezas cárnicas de calidad diferenciada, destinadas a consumo en fresco, optimizaría la producción de canales pesadas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar algunas características físico-químicas y sensoriales de cuatro músculos en 14 hembras Duroc × (Landrace × Large White) sacrificadas a 130 kg de peso vivo. De cada canal se extrajeron (dos por canal) los músculos: Longissimus thoracis (LT), Psoas major (PM), Lattissimus dorsi (LD) y Serratus ventralis (SV). Se evaluaron características físicas (color, pérdidas de agua y resistencia al corte), químicas (contenido en grasa intramuscular y su composición en ácidos grasos) y sensoriales (atributos relacionados con el aroma, el flavor, la textura y la aceptabilidad). El LT tuvo la mayor fibrosidad y los menores indicadores de capacidad de retención de agua, terneza y jugosidad. El PM mostró los menores contenidos en grasa intramuscular y ácidos grasos monoinsaturados y también en fibrosidad, y las mayores proporciones en humedad, C18:2n6 y ácidos grasos poliinsaturados. El LD tuvo el mayor tono amarillo, intensidad de olor y flavor a grasa. El SV proporcionó el mayor contenido en grasa intramuscular y color rojo y la menor resistencia al corte. Todos los músculos tuvieron similar puntuación en aceptabilidad global. En conclusión, se detectaron numerosas e interesantes diferencias entre los músculos estudiados, lo que sugiere que podrían ser comercializadas individualmente como piezas cárnicas de calidad diferenciada, optimizando así la producción de canales de cerdos pesados

    Biohybrids for spinal cord injury repair

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    This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Martínez-Ramos, C, Doblado, LR, Mocholi, EL, et al. Biohybrids for spinal cord injury repair. J Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2019; 13: 509-521, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/term.2816. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.[EN] Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) result in the loss of sensory and motor function with massive cell death and axon degeneration. We have previously shown that transplantation of spinal cord-derived ependymal progenitor cells (epSPC) significantly improves functional recovery after acute and chronic SCI in experimental models, via neuronal differentiation and trophic glial cell support. Here, we propose an improved procedure based on transplantation of epSPC in a tubular conduit of hyaluronic acid containing poly (lactic acid) fibres creating a biohybrid scaffold. In vitro analysis showed that the poly (lactic acid) fibres included in the conduit induce a preferential neuronal fate of the epSPC rather than glial differentiation, favouring elongation of cellular processes. The safety and efficacy of the biohybrid implantation was evaluated in a complete SCI rat model. The conduits allowed efficient epSPC transfer into the spinal cord, improving the preservation of the neuronal tissue by increasing the presence of neuronal fibres at the injury site and by reducing cavities and cyst formation. The biohybrid-implanted animals presented diminished astrocytic reactivity surrounding the scar area, an increased number of preserved neuronal fibres with a horizontal directional pattern, and enhanced coexpression of the growth cone marker GAP43. The biohybrids offer an improved method for cell transplantation with potential capabilities for neuronal tissue regeneration, opening a promising avenue for cell therapies and SCI treatment.Secretaria de Estado de Investigacion, Desarrollo e Innovacion, Grant/Award Number: MAT2015-66666-C3-1-R MINECO/FEDER MAT2015-66666-C3-2-R MINECO/FEDER; Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports through Laura Rodriguez Doblado, Grant/Award Number: FPU15/04975Martínez-Ramos, C.; Rodriguez Doblado, L.; López Mocholi, E.; Alastrue-Agudo, A.; Sánchez Petidier, M.; Giraldo-Reboloso, E.; Monleón Pradas, M.... (2019). Biohybrids for spinal cord injury repair. Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. 13(3):509-521. https://doi.org/10.1002/term.2816S509521133Ahuja, C. S., & Fehlings, M. (2016). Concise Review: Bridging the Gap: Novel Neuroregenerative and Neuroprotective Strategies in Spinal Cord Injury. 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Chronic Oligodendrogenesis and Remyelination after Spinal Cord Injury in Mice and Rats. Journal of Neuroscience, 35(3), 1274-1290. doi:10.1523/jneurosci.2568-14.2015Kjell, J., & Olson, L. (2016). Rat models of spinal cord injury: from pathology to potential therapies. Disease Models & Mechanisms, 9(10), 1125-1137. doi:10.1242/dmm.025833Kumar, P., Choonara, Y., Modi, G., Naidoo, D., & Pillay, V. (2015). Multifunctional Therapeutic Delivery Strategies for Effective Neuro-Regeneration Following Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 21(12), 1517-1528. doi:10.2174/1381612821666150115152323Li, G., Che, M.-T., Zhang, K., Qin, L.-N., Zhang, Y.-T., Chen, R.-Q., … Zeng, Y.-S. (2016). Graft of the NT-3 persistent delivery gelatin sponge scaffold promotes axon regeneration, attenuates inflammation, and induces cell migration in rat and canine with spinal cord injury. Biomaterials, 83, 233-248. doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2015.11.059Li, X., & Dai, J. (2018). Bridging the gap with functional collagen scaffolds: tuning endogenous neural stem cells for severe spinal cord injury repair. Biomaterials Science, 6(2), 265-271. doi:10.1039/c7bm00974gLiang, Y., Walczak, P., & Bulte, J. W. M. (2013). The survival of engrafted neural stem cells within hyaluronic acid hydrogels. Biomaterials, 34(22), 5521-5529. doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.03.095Lim, S. H., Liu, X. Y., Song, H., Yarema, K. J., & Mao, H.-Q. (2010). The effect of nanofiber-guided cell alignment on the preferential differentiation of neural stem cells. Biomaterials, 31(34), 9031-9039. doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2010.08.021Liu, C., Huang, Y., Pang, M., Yang, Y., Li, S., Liu, L., … Liu, B. (2015). Tissue-Engineered Regeneration of Completely Transected Spinal Cord Using Induced Neural Stem Cells and Gelatin-Electrospun Poly (Lactide-Co-Glycolide)/Polyethylene Glycol Scaffolds. 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    Monte carlo clinical dosimetry

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    The choice of the most appropriate strategy for radiotherapy treatment is mainly based on the use of a planning system. With the introduction of new techniques (conformal and/or small fields, asymmetrical and non coplanar beams, true 3D calculation, IMRT) the trustworthiness of the algorithms used is questioned. An alternative verification procedure has become increasingly more necessary to warranty treatment delivery.The reliability of the Monte Carlo method is generally acknowledged. However, its clinical use has not been practical due to the high CPU time required. During the last few years our objective has decreased CPU time by means of a new process distribution technique. This reduction has made it feasible, not only to apply physical dosimetry under special conditions, but also to use it in numerous clinical cases employing photon and electron conformal fields, in radiosurgery, and IMRT.The procedure carried out is presented. Furthermore, conventional Treatment Planning System calculations are compared with the Monte Carlo simulations

    Peripheral organ equivalent dose estimation procedure in proton therapy

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    The aim of this work is to present a reproducible methodology for the evaluation of total equivalent doses in organs during proton therapy facilities. The methodology is based on measuring the dose equivalent in representative locations inside an anthropomorphic phantom where photon and neutron dosimeters were inserted. The Monte Carlo simulation was needed for obtaining neutron energy distribution inside the phantom. The methodology was implemented for a head irradiation case in the passive proton beam of iThemba Labs (South Africa). Thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD)-600 and TLD-700 pairs were used as dosimeters inside the phantom and GEANT code for simulations. In addition, Bonner sphere spectrometry was performed inside the treatment room to obtain the neutron spectra, some relevant neutron dosimetric quantities per treatment Gy, and a percentual distribution of neutron fluence and ambient dose equivalent in four energy groups, at two locations. The neutron spectrum at one of those locations was also simulated so that a reasonable agreement between simulation and measurement allowed a validation of the simulation. Results showed that the total out-of-field dose equivalent inside the phantom ranged from 1.4 to 0.28 mSv/Gy, mainly due to the neutron contribution and with a small contribution from photons, 10% on average. The order of magnitude of the equivalent dose in organs was similar, displaying a slow reduction in values as the organ is farther from the target volume. These values were in agreement with those found by other authors in other passive beam facilities under similar irradiation and measurement conditions

    Results of the first user program on the Homogenous Thermal Neutron Source HOTNES (ENEA / INFN)

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    The HOmogeneous Thermal NEutron Source (HOTNES) is a new type of thermal neutron irradiation assembly developed by the ENEA-INFN collaboration. The facility is fully characterized in terms of neutron field and dosimetric quantities, by either computational and experimental methods. This paper reports the results of the first "HOTNES users program", carried out in 2016, and covering a variety of thermal neutron active detectors such as scintillators, solid-state, single crystal diamond and gaseous detectors

    Dosimetry tools and techniques for IMRT

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    Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/98734/1/MPH001313.pd

    Experimental archeology at Cuevas de la Araña (Málaga, Spain)

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    En este trabajo abordamos las actividades de Arqueología Experimental desarrolladas en las Cuevas de La Araña. Éstas, cubren los campos más significativos de la Arqueología y sus protocolos -de campo y laboratorio-, así como la reproducción de los procesos tecnológicos con que se tuvieron que enfrentar los grupos prehistóricos para su supervivencia, desde el Paleolítico Inferior hasta el Calcolítico. Con la reproducción de las diversas tecnologías se obtiene una información más directa, y se aprecia mejor las dificultades inherentes a cada una de ellas, obteniéndose una visión más ajustada de la propia evolución tecnológica, y los avances conseguidos en cada periodo culturalThe following paper addresses a series ofexperimental archeology activities performed at the Archeological Site ofLa Araña. They cover the most significant aspects ofArcheology and its protocols -includingfield and laboratory work-as well as the replication of technological processes prehistoric groups had to face for their survival, from the Lower Paleolithic to the Chalcolithic. With the reenactment of the various technologies more immediate information is obtained, and the difficulties inherent to each of them are better appreciated, building a more accurate perspective of the technological evolution itself, andthe advances achieved in each cultural perio

    Estimation of neutron-equivalent dose in organs of patients undergoing radiotherapy by the use of a novel online digital detector.

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    Neutron peripheral contamination in patients undergoing high-energy photon radiotherapy is considered as a risk factor for secondary cancer induction. Organ-specific neutron-equivalent dose estimation is therefore essential for a reasonable assessment of these associated risks. This work aimed to develop a method to estimate neutron-equivalent doses in multiple organs of radiotherapy patients. The method involved the convolution, at 16 reference points in an anthropomorphic phantom, of the normalized Monte Carlo neutron fluence energy spectra with the kerma and energy-dependent radiation weighting factor. This was then scaled with the total neutron fluence measured with passive detectors, at the same reference points, in order to obtain the equivalent doses in organs. The latter were correlated with the readings of a neutron digital detector located inside the treatment room during phantom irradiation. This digital detector, designed and developed by our group, integrates the thermal neutron fluence. The correlation model, applied to the digital detector readings during patient irradiation, enables the online estimation of neutron-equivalent doses in organs. The model takes into account the specific irradiation site, the field parameters (energy, field size, angle incidence, etc) and the installation (linac and bunker geometry). This method, which is suitable for routine clinical use, will help to systematically generate the dosimetric data essential for the improvement of current risk-estimation models
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