On-a-chip biosensing based on all-dielectric nanoresonators

Nanophotonics has become a key enabling technology in biomedicine with great promises in early diagnosis and less invasive therapies. In this context, the unique capability of plasmonic noble metal nanoparticles to concentrate light on the nanometer scale has widely contributed to biosensing and enhanced spectroscopy. Recently, high-refractive index dielectric nanostructures featuring low loss resonances have been proposed as a promising alternative to nanoplasmonics, potentially offering better sensing performances along with full compatibility with the microelectronics industry. In this letter we report the first demonstration of biosensing with silicon nanoresonators integrated in state-of-the-art microfluidics. Our lab-on-a-chip platform enables detecting Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) cancer marker in human serum with a sensitivity that meets clinical needs. These performances are directly compared with its plasmonic counterpart based on gold nanorods. Our work opens new opportunities in the development of future point-of-care devices towards a more personalized healthcare

Identificación de los factores clínico-patológicos relacionados con la obtención de la respuesta completa patológica en pacientes con cáncer de mama tratadas con quimioterapia neoadyuvante. Validación del Residual Cancer Burden (RCB) como factor pronóstico

El objetivo primario de esta tesis es la validación externa de in índice de evaluación de la respuesta patológica tras la administración de quimioterapia neoadyuvante denominado Residual Cancer Burden y su comparación con otros sistemas de valoración de la respuesta patológica, el RDBN y el Sistema Miller & Payne.Este trabajo ha permitido demostrar que RCB es in factor pronóstico independiente relacionado con la supervivencia global y la supervivencia libre de enfermedad, tanto en el aálisis univariante como multivariante. Además, RCB ha demostrado tener in mayor valor pronóstico en relación con SG y SLE en comparación con RDBN y el Sistema de Miller & Payne, siendo estas diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la comparación con este ultimo índice

Template assisted surface micro microstructuring of flowable dental composites and its effect on the microbial adhesion properties

Despite their various advantages, such as good esthetic properties, absence of mercury and adhesive bonding to teeth, modern dental composites still have some drawbacks, e.g., a relatively high rate of secondary caries on teeth filled with composite materials. Recent research suggests that microstructured biomaterials surfaces may reduce microbial adhesion to materials due to unfavorable physical material–microbe interactions. The objectives of this study were, therefore, to test the hypotheses that (i) different surface microstructures can be created on composites by a novel straightforward approach potentially suitable for clinical application and (ii) that these surface structures have a statistically significant effect on microbial adhesion properties.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Hydroxyapatite-based biphasic catalysts with plasticity properties and its potential in carbon dioxide fixation

The design of catalysts with controlled selectivity at will, also known as catalytic plasticity, is a very attractive approach for the recycling of carbon dioxide (CO2). In this work, we study how catalytically active hydroxyapatite (HAp) and brushite (Bru) interact synergistically, allowing the production of formic acid or acetic acid depending on the HAp/Bru ratio in the catalyst. Raman, wide angle X-ray scattering, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies, combined with an exhaustive revision of the crystalline structure of the catalyst at the atomic level, allowed to discern how the Bru phase can be generated and stabilized at high temperatures. Results clearly indicate that the presence of OH– groups to maintain the crystalline structural integrity in conjunction with Ca2+ ions less bonded to the lattice fixate carbon into C1, C2 and C3 molecules from CO2 and allow the evolution from formic to acetic acid and acetone. In this way, the plasticity of the HAp-Bru system is demonstrated, representing a promising green alternative to the conventional metal-based electrocatalysts used for CO2 fixation. Thus, the fact that no electric voltage is necessary for the CO2 reduction has a very favorable impact in the final energetic net balance of the carbon fixation reaction. © 202

Levantamiento batimétrico en el islote Montaña Clara (Islas Canarias).

Los objetivos del presente Proyecto Fin de Carrera, serán el levantamiento cartográfico en detalle de la zona de trabajo propuesta, mediante la utilización del Buque Oceanográfico Emma Bardán y su sistema de ecosonda multihaz de alta resolución. Los trabajos asociados serán: El reconocimiento batimétrico sistemático del Islote Montaña Clara con recubrimiento al 100% (ecosonda Multihaz EM-3002D). Toma de datos sistemáticos de perfiles de velocidad del sonido en el agua. Los objetivos específicos del presente Proyecto Fin de Carrera son proporcionar documentación cartográfica que contribuya a la investigación del fondo marino de la plataforma continental del Islote Montaña Clara, tanto por métodos indirectos como directos. Las fases de trabajo son: Procesar y tratar los datos obtenidos en la campaña, para la obtención de mapas,cartas e informes. Elaborar una carta batimétrica basada en datos multihaz con cobertura al 100% del área propuesta. Realizar el tratamiento informático necesario para la integración de los datos en un Sistema de Información Geográfica (S.I.G.)

Radioprotección en medicina nuclear : Fundamentos y buenas prácticas

Es habitual comenzar un libro con la historia de la temática que lo involucra. Ya hay numerosos textos muy completos y autorizados cuentan la historia de la radioprotección. Las circunstancias que rodearon los primeros descubrimientos de esa rara forma de energía que motivó el nombre de “X” para los primeros rayos detectados; las consecuencias nocivas que tuvieron para la salud de muchos de los pioneros que desconocían el aspecto perjudicial que conllevaban las radiaciones; la paulatina toma de consciencia de esos efectos perniciosos y el advenimiento de medidas y propuestas para evitarlos. Una obra muy amena y completa es Historia de la radiación, la radiactividad y la radioprotección, de Bo Lindell. Sería redundante desarrollar nuevamente aquí esa historia, y realmente impropio pretender reducirla a un par de páginas. Las aplicaciones y beneficios que se fueron encontrando a lo largo del siglo XX para las radiaciones ionizantes en el campo de la salud fueron tan formidables que el avance fue imparable. En lo que al diagnóstico se refiere, obtener imágenes del interior del organismo desde afuera, era una cosa impensable antes de Roentgen. Por otra parte, el reconocimiento de que el efecto deletéreo de las radiaciones podía implicar su empleo en la destrucción de tejidos malignos marcó sin duda un hito en la forma de hacer frente a enfermedades hasta ese momento consideradas intratables. La medicina de hoy, es impensable sin la utilización de metodologías de alta complejidad, muchas de las cuales emplean radiaciones ionizantes. Esto implica que la radioprotección es un ítem imprescindible en los conocimientos requeridos para los profesionales involucrados en los procedimientos, los médicos y técnicos actuantes y fundamentalmente el físico médico.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Valorisation of Camellia sinensis branches as a raw product with green technology extraction methods

This work deals with the study of tea stalks from pruning debris using environmental friendly extraction technology to offer new healthy properties. In the manufacturing tea industry, tea trees require to be pruned every year and most of their remains are discarded as a waste with no economic value. Microwave aqueous extraction and pressurized hot water extraction process (autohydrolysis) were used to recover bioactive compounds from the tea branches. Operating at a fixed solid: liquid ratio (1:15), the effect of the maximum heating temperatures from 140 to 220 °C was studied. Liquid extracts were analysed for total phenolic, oligosaccharides, protein, mineral and heavy metals content, as well as for antioxidant capacity. The antitumoral possibilities were also determined for selected samples. The obtained results indicated that both processes could be used as an alternative to recover bioactive compounds from tea wastes, although microwave-assisted extraction allowed saving time when compared with autohydrolysis processing. The temperature exhibited a relevant effect on the total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, decreasing with the microwave treatment and increasing with the autohydrolysis temperature. The obtained extracts could be adequate for incorporation in food and non-food fields.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad | Ref. IJCI-2016-27535Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades | Ref. RYC2018- 024454-

Environmental Assessment of Solar Photo-Fenton Processes at Mild Condition in the Presence of Waste-Derived Bio-Based Substances

[EN] The assessment of environmental sustainability has assumed great importance during the study and implementation of a new process, including those aimed to waste valorization and reuse. In this research, the environmental performance of the photo-Fenton processes was evaluated using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. In particular, photo-Fenton conducted in mild conditions (almost neutral pH), using soluble bio-organic substances as auxiliary agents were compared with the "classic" photo-Fenton run at pH 2.8. The evaluation was carried out both, at the laboratory level and at pilot plant scale. LCA analysis shows that working in mild conditions reduces the environmental burden associated with the use of chemicals. On the other hand, the occurring drop in effectiveness significantly increases the overall impact, thus evidencing the need of considering the process as a whole.Costamagna, M.; Arqués Sanz, A.; Lo-Iacono-Ferreira, VG.; Bianco Prevot, A. (2022). Environmental Assessment of Solar Photo-Fenton Processes at Mild Condition in the Presence of Waste-Derived Bio-Based Substances. Nanomaterials. 12(16):1-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12162781113121

Lymphocyte Display: A Novel Antibody Selection Platform Based on T Cell Activation

Since their onset, display technologies have proven useful for the selection of antibodies against a variety of targets; however, most of the antibodies selected with the currently available platforms need to be further modified for their use in humans, and are restricted to accessible antigens. Furthermore, these platforms are not well suited for in vivo selections. We present here a novel cell based antibody display platform, which takes advantage of the functional capabilities of T lymphocytes. The display of antibodies on the surface of T lymphocytes, as a part of a chimeric-immune receptor (CIR) mediating signaling, may ideally link the antigen-antibody interaction to a demonstrable change in T cell phenotype, due to subsequent expression of the early T cell activation marker CD69. In this proof-of-concept, an in vitro selection was carried out using a human T cell line lentiviral-transduced to express a tumor-specific CIR on the surface, against a human tumor cell line expressing the carcinoembryonic antigen. Based on an effective interaction between the CIR and the tumor antigen, we demonstrated that combining CIR-mediated activation with FACS sorting of CD69+ T cells, it is possible to isolate binders to tumor specific cell surface antigen, with an enrichment factor of at least 103-fold after two rounds, resulting in a homogeneous population of T cells expressing tumor-specific CIRs