Ceftiofur-loaded PHBV microparticles: A potential formulation for a long-acting antibiotic to treat animal infections

Indexación: Web of Science; ScieloBackground: The infectious diseases in the livestock breeding industry represent a significant drawback that generates substantial economic loss and have led to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics. The formulation of polymeric microparticles loaded with antibiotics for veterinary use can: reduce the number of required doses; protect the drug from inactivation; and maintain a sustained-release of the antibiotic drug at effective levels. Accomplishing all of these goals would have a significant economic and animal health impact on the livestock breeding industry. Results: In this work, we formulated ceftiofur-loaded PHBV microparticles (PHBV-CEF) with a spherical shape, a smooth surface and diameter sizes between 1.65 and 2.37 μm. The encapsulation efficiency was 39.5 ± 1.1% w/w, and we obtained a sustained release of ceftiofur in PBS-buffer (pH 7.4) over 7 days. The antibacterial activity of ceftiofur was preserved after the encapsulation procedure, and toxicity of PHBV-CEF microparticles evaluated by MTS was represented by an IC50 > 10 mg/mL. Conclusions: Our results suggest that PHBV-CEF particles have a potential application for improving the treatment of infectious diseases in the livestock breeding industry. Keywords: ceftiofur, drug delivery, livestock breeding industry, PHBV, polymeric microparticle

Neisseria gonorrhoeae challenge increases matrix metalloproteinase-8 expression in fallopian tube explants

Indexación: Scopus.Background: Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ngo) is the etiological agent of gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection that initially infects the female lower genital tract. In untreated women, the bacteria can ascend to the upper genital reproductive tract and infect the fallopian tube (FTs), which is associated with salpingitis and can lead to impaired FT function and infertility. The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in cell migration and differentiation in the female genital tract, and some pathogens modify the ECM to establish successful infections. The ECM is regulated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), their endogenous inhibitors; MMP deregulation causes pathological conditions in a variety of tissues. Results: The aim of this work was to analyze the expression and localization of MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 in FT explants during Ngo infection using real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, zymography and ELISA. No significant variations in MMP-3, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 transcript levels were observed. In contrast, a significant increase (p < 0.05) was observed for MMP-8 expression and was accompanied by stromal immunoreactivity in infected explants. ELISA results supported these findings and showed that MMP-8 release increased upon gonococcal infection. Conclusions: Our results indicate that gonococcal infection induces increased MMP-8 expression, which might contribute to FT damage during infection. © 2017 Juica, Rodas, Solar, Borda, Vargas, Muñoz, Paredes, Christodoulides and Velasquez.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2017.00399/ful

The Case Against Template Informed Consent Procedures in Biomedical Research: Heterogeneity in health Literacy in Chile

Indexación: Web of Science; ScieloSe examinó el alfabetismo en salud en Chile con el fin de determinar si se pueden usar procedimientos de consentimiento informado estándares en esta población. Se evaluó el alfabetismo en salud con la versión abreviada de la prueba SAHLSA. Los resultados se expresaron como el porcentaje de respuestas correctas en cada prueba. El promedio global de respuestas correctas fue 85.4 ± 13.5 % (media aritmética ± desviación estándar, n=762). Hubo diferencias importantes entre los subgrupos examinados. El nivel más bajo de alfabetismo en salud se detectó en pescadores artesanales y sus familias y en estudiantes de liceos públicos, y el más alto en estudiantes universitarios y madres pobladoras atendidas en el sistema público de salud. Los resultados muestran la necesidad que los procedimientos de consentimiento informado tomen en cuenta la heterogeneidad del alfabetismo en salud de la población chilena.Health literacy was examined in Chile to assess whether it is homogenous enough to allow the use of "templates" for informed consent, and to identity subgroups that may need special consideration when recruited for research because of their low health literacy abbreviated SAHLSA test of health literacy was used. Results were expressed as percent of correct answers out of the 50 items of the SAHLSA test. There was high health literacy with 85.4 ± 13.5 % (arithmetic mean ± standard deviation, «=762) of correct answers. There were important differences between groups, with lower scores in artisanal fishermen families and high-school students attending public schools, and higher scores in university students and mothers attending the public health system. Results show that a case by case approach is probably more appropriate when seeking informed consent in this population because of the variability of health literacy.http://ref.scielo.org/nb426

Novel essential role of ethanol oxidation genes at low temperature revealed by transcriptome analysis in the antarctic bacterium pseudomonas extremaustralis

Temperature is one of the most important factors for bacterial growth and development. Cold environments are widely distributed on earth, and psychrotolerant and psychrophilic microorganisms have developed different adaptation strategies to cope with the stress derived from low temperatures. Pseudomonas extremaustralis is an Antarctic bacterium able to grow under low temperatures and to produce high amounts of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). In this work, we analyzed the genome-wide transcriptome by RNA deepsequencing technology of early exponential cultures of P. extremaustralis growing in LB (Luria Broth) supplemented with sodium octanoate to favor PHA accumulation at 8°C and 30°C. We found that genes involved in primary metabolism, including tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) related genes, as well as cytochromes and amino acid metabolism coding genes, were repressed at low temperature. Among up-regulated genes, those coding for transcriptional regulatory and signal transduction proteins were over-represented at cold conditions. Remarkably, we found that genes involved in ethanol oxidation, exaA, exaB and exaC, encoding a pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent ethanol dehydrogenase, the cytochrome c550 and an aldehyde dehydrogenase respectively, were up-regulated. Along with RNA-seq experiments, analysis of mutant strains for pqqB (PQQ biosynthesis protein B) and exaA were carried out. We found that the exaA and pqqB genes are essential for growth under low temperature in LB supplemented with sodium octanoate. Additionally, prosaniline assay measurements showed the presence of alcohol dehydrogenase activity at both 8°C and 30°C, while the activity was abolished in a pqqB mutant strain. These results together with the detection of ethanol by gas chromatography in P. extremaustralis cultures grown at 8°C support the conclusion that this pathway is important under cold conditions. The obtained results have led to the identification of novel components involved in cold adaptation mechanisms in this bacterium, suggesting for the first time a role of the ethanol oxidation pathway for bacterial growth at low temperatures.Fil: Tribelli, Paula Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Solar Venero, Esmeralda Clara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Ricardi, Martiniano María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Gómez Lozano, Maria. Technical University of Denmark; DinamarcaFil: Raiger Iustman, Laura Judith. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Molin, Søren. Technical University of Denmark; DinamarcaFil: López, Nancy Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentin

Light electric vehicle charging strategy for low impact on the grid

[EN] The alarming increase in the average temperature of the planet due to the massive emission of greenhouse gases has stimulated the introduction of electric vehicles (EV), given transport sector is responsible for more than 25% of the total global CO2 emissions. EV penetration will substantially increase electricity demand and, therefore, an optimization of the EV recharging scenario is needed to make full use of the existing electricity generation system without upgrading requirements. In this paper, a methodology based on the use of the temporal valleys in the daily electricity demand is developed for EVrecharge, avoiding the peak demand hours to minimize the impact on the grid. The methodology assumes three different strategies for the recharge activities: home, public buildings, and electrical stations. It has been applied to the case of Spain in the year 2030, assuming three different scenarios for the growth of the total fleet: low, medium, and high. For each of them, three different levels for the EV penetration by the year 2030 are considered: 25%, 50%, and 75%, respectively. Only light electric vehicles (LEV), cars and motorcycles, are taken into account given the fact that batteries are not yet able to provide the full autonomy desired by heavy vehicles. Moreover, heavy vehicles have different travel uses that should be separately considered. Results for the fraction of the total recharge to be made in each of the different recharge modes are deduced with indication of the time intervals to be used in each of them. For the higher penetration scenario, 75% of the total park, an almost flat electricity demand curve is obtained. Studies are made for working days and for non-working days.One of the authors was supported by the Generalitat Valenciana under the grant ACIF/2018/106.Bastida-Molina, P.; Hurtado-Perez, E.; Pérez Navarro, Á.; Alfonso-Solar, D. (2021). Light electric vehicle charging strategy for low impact on the grid. 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(2015) Demand-side management in smart grid operation considering electric vehicles load shifting and vehicle-to-grid support, International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems. Elsevier, 64, pp. 689–698. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJEPES.2014.07.065Luca de Tena D, Pregger T (2018) Impact of electric vehicles on a future renewable energy-based power system in Europe with a focus on Germany. Int J Energy Res 42(8):2670–2685. https://doi.org/10.1002/er.4056Mao, D., Gao, Z. and Wang, J. (2019) An integrated algorithm for evaluating plug-in electric vehicle’s impact on the state of power grid assets, International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems. Elsevier, 105, pp. 793–802. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJEPES.2018.09.028Martínez-Lao, J. et al. (2017) Electric vehicles in Spain: an overview of charging systems, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. Pergamon. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.RSER.2016.11.239.Morrissey, P., Weldon, P. and O’Mahony, M. (2016) Future standard and fast charging infrastructure planning: an analysis of electric vehicle charging behaviour, Energy Policy. Elsevier, 89, pp. 257–270. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENPOL.2015.12.001Ortega-Vazquez MA, Bouffard F, Silva V (2013) Electric vehicle aggregator/system operator coordination for charging scheduling and services procurement. IEEE Trans Power Syst 28(2):1806–1815. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPWRS.2012.2221750PNIEC (2019) Spanish climate change draft law. Available at: https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/prensa/ultimas-noticias/el-consejo-de-ministros-da-luz-verde-al-anteproyecto-de-ley-de-cambio-climático-/tcm:30-487294 ()REE (2017a) Electrical demand, energy generation structure and CO2 emissions. Available at: https://demanda.ree.es/visiona/peninsula/demanda/total/2018-10-16 ()REE (2017b) Historical data base. 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Pergamon 59:375–384. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TRD.2018.01.004Tietge, U., Díaz, S., et al. (2016a) From laboratory to road: a 2016 update of official and “real-world” fuel consumption and CO2 values for passenger cars in Europe, The International Council on Clean Transportation. Available at: https://theicct.org/publications/laboratory-road-2016-updateTietge, U., Mock, P., et al. (2016b) Real-world fuel consumption of popular European passenger car models | International Council on Clean Transportation, The International Council on Clean Transportation. Available at: https://www.theicct.org/publications/real-world-fuel-consumption-popular-european-passenger-car-modelsValsera-Naranjo E, Sumper A, Villafafila-Robles R, Martínez-Vicente D (2012) Probabilistic method to assess the impact of charging of electric vehicles on distribution grids. Energies. Molecular Diversity Preservation International 5(5):1503–1531. https://doi.org/10.3390/en5051503Wang, L. and Chen, B. 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Methodology to evaluate the feasibility of local biomass resources as a fuel for building boilers. Application to a Mediterranean area

[EN] The massive implementation of distributed energy resources based on biofuels requires a complex methodology to assess the optimal energy valorization options and economic feasibility. This paper has focused on producing pellets for boilers. The work focuses on the residential and commercial sectors. To consume local biomass, it must be considered the availability of potential customers, biomass availability, properties, and dispersion to evaluate transport cost. The developed methodology was applied to three different counties of the Valencian Community (typical of Mediterranean areas). Biomass resources for different counties have been quantified and characterized regarding key issues as heating value and ash content. Considering every evaluated area (the typical total area in the range 600 to 1800 km2) as a biomass management unit, the impact of pellet production plant size and biomass transport costs for three different counties was evaluated. However, different balances between biomass resources availability and self-consumption potentials are obtained, the economic feasibility of pellet plants was acceptable in the three cases with payback periods from 5 to 6 years.Alfonso-Solar, D.; Vargas-Salgado, C.; Hurtado-Perez, E.; Bastida-Molina, P. (2022). Methodology to evaluate the feasibility of local biomass resources as a fuel for building boilers. Application to a Mediterranean area. Área de Innovación y Desarrollo,S.L. 21-29. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/181099S212

Assessment of the transversal competences: analysis and resolution of problems and, planning and time management

[EN] European universities are in the process of experimenting with teaching by applying the new learning model according to the Bologna plan, based on specific and transversal competences. Due to the old teaching model, which is still rooted in the current learning system, professors have difficulties in assessing transversal competences. In this paper, the results of applying a methodology to assess the transversal competences: analysis and problem solving, and planning and time management is presented. Although the methodology is designed to evaluate transversal competences, it could also be used to evaluate traditional specific competences, in which the acquired technical knowledge is assessed. The methodology consists of explaining to the student how a practical problem is solved, applied to a case that an engineer can find in professional life. Subsequently, the student must solve another problem of the same type raised by the professor. The student will be given a limited time to solve the problem. The methodology is applied in two different sessions. The students have previously been informed about the performance of the test. Unlike the traditional method, the student must prepare the class before the lecture. Therefore, when the professor explains the theoretical part and how to solve the problem, it can also resolve doubts raised by the student during the preparation of the session. Additionally, the students who take less time to solve the test will have a higher score in the assessment of planning and time management. The results obtained are analysed and improvements are proposed to facilitate the acquisition of skills.Vargas Salgado, CA.; Bastida Molina, P.; Ribó Pérez, DG.; Alfonso Solar, D. (2020). Assessment of the transversal competences: analysis and resolution of problems and, planning and time management. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 139-147. https://doi.org/10.4995/INN2019.2019.10112OCS13914

Chronic Venous Insufficiency in Workers without Risks Factors who Remain Long Hours Standing

Revisiones[ES] La insuficiencia venosa crónica (IVC) es una patología prevalente en la sociedad actual. Los problemas derivados de ella, son una causa importante de gasto económico y absentismo laboral. Las condiciones laborales actuales, como jornadas de larga duración, con largas horas en bipedestación, inadecuada carga de pesos y malas condiciones de humedad y temperatura, contribuyen al desarrollo de esta patología. En este trabajo se ha realizado una revisión sistemática de la bibliografía existente en relación a la insuficiencia venosa crónica y el tiempo en bipedestación de las jornadas laborales. Para determinar el nivel de evidencia de los estudios evaluados, se han seguido los criterios del Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). En particular, se ha concluido que existe una asociación significativamente positiva entre el tiempo prolongado en bipedestación y el riesgo de padecer insuficiencia venosa crónica. Sin embargo, la literatura actual no permite establecer un umbral que determine el número de horas considerado como bipedestación prolongada.Para poder valorar si la insuficiencia venosa crónica debería considerarse una enfermedad profesional, es necesario diseñar y llevar a cabo nuevos estudios de investigación en esta dirección. Estos estudios son necesarios para poder establecer evidencias de cara a concienciar a la sociedad y generar campañas de prevención y promoción de la salud que disminuyan los costes económicos y mejoren la calidad de vida de la población. [EN] The chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a prevalent pathology in the today’s society. The arising problems represent an important cause of economic costs and absenteeism in the workplace. Current working conditions, such as long working hours, standing for long periods of time, inadequate load weight as well as bad humidity and temperature conditions, contribute to the development of this pathology.In this essay, a systematic review of existing bibliography related to chronic venous insufficiency and standing up long time at working hours has been conducted. In order to determine the evidence level of the evaluated studies the criteria established by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) has been considered. In particular, a significant positive link between long period of time standing and a risk for suffering chronic venous insufficiency has been found. However, the existing literature is not specific enough to establish a threshold that determines the number of working hours required to be considered an extreme period of time standing.In order to determine if the chronic venous insufficiency should be considered an occupational disease, it is required to design and conduct further research on this topic. These studies are necessary to establish new evidence in order to make the society aware and generate new health prevention and promotion campaigns so that economic costs and quality of life could continue improving.N

Sustainable Cooking Based on a 3 kW Air-Forced Multifuel Gasification Stove Using Alternative Fuels Obtained from Agricultural Wastes

[EN] In this research work, a 3 kW stove based on biomass gasification, together with a fuel obtained from agriculture wastes as an alternative to the commonly used charcoal, have been developed looking for sustainable cooking in poor communities. Alternative fuel (BSW) are briquettes obtained by carbonization and densification of agricultural solid wastes. Two laboratory methods, water boil test (WBT) and controlled kitchen test (CCT) were used to analyze the performance of this approach by comparing the proposed improved stove (ICS-G) with the traditional one (TCS), when using both types of fuels: charcoal and BSW. Results indicate that consumption of charcoal decreases by 61% using the improved ICS-G stove instead of the traditional TCS. Similar fuel savings are obtained when using BSW fuels. BSW fuel allows for a carbon monoxide (CO) emission reduction of 41% and 67%, and fine particles (PM) in a 84% and 93%, during the high and low power phases of the tests, respectively. Use of BSW fuel and ICS-G stove instead of the TCS stove with charcoal, provides a cooking time reduction of 18%, savings of $353.5 per year per family in the purchase of fuel, and an emission reduction of 3.2 t CO2/year.family.This research received no external funding. P.B.M. was funded by the Generalitat Valenciana under the grant ACIF/2018/106.Hurtado-Perez, E.; Mulumba Ilunga, O.; Alfonso-Solar, D.; Moros Gómez, MC.; Bastida-Molina, P. (2020). Sustainable Cooking Based on a 3 kW Air-Forced Multifuel Gasification Stove Using Alternative Fuels Obtained from Agricultural Wastes. Sustainability. 12(18):1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187723S1151218Bhutto, A. W., Bazmi, A. A., Karim, S., Abro, R., Mazari, S. A., & Nizamuddin, S. (2019). Promoting sustainability of use of biomass as energy resource: Pakistan’s perspective. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26(29), 29606-29619. doi:10.1007/s11356-019-06179-7Maes, W. H., & Verbist, B. (2012). 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Assessing the increase of solar fields in Iberian Peninsula

[EN] Spanish electrical generation has traditionally included high pollutant energy resources, like fuel or carbon. However, disturbing ever-increase in the average temperature of Planet Earth has led to a search for sustainability in the energy scenario. Therefore, Spanish electrical generation mix is prone to replace contaminant energy resources by non-contaminant, such renewables. Concretely, Spain is one of the countries with more solar peak annual hours. Nevertheless, having enough space to increase solar fields has been widely question. In this paper, an unrealistic scenario where all the annual Spanish consumption would be covered by photovoltaics is deeply analysed. Considering real electrical Spanish consumption data from 2017, required total quantity of solar panels has been quantified. Additionally, the study takes the hypothesis that all the panels should be placed on Spanish desert zones for two main reasons. First, total solar peak annual hours there are higher than in other Spanish regions. Last, making there the installation would give use to previous wasted zones. Obtained results indicate that around 691 million of 330Wp solar panels would be required for this issue, taking up 492175 km2. This space means only a 0.77% of all Iberian Peninsula. These outcomes clearly show that there is suitable and enough space to increase solar fields in Iberian Peninsula.This work was supported in part by the regional public administration of Valencia under the grant ACIF/2018/106.Bastida-Molina, P.; Alfonso Solar, D.; Vargas Salgado, CA.; Montuori, L. (2019). Assessing the increase of solar fields in Iberian Peninsula. En Proceedings 5th CARPE Conference: Horizon Europe and beyond. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 106-113. https://doi.org/10.4995/CARPE2019.2019.10205OCS10611