Smart nano-in-microparticles to tackle bacterial infections in skin tissue engineering

Chronic wounds (resulting from underlying disease, metabolic disorders, infections, trauma, and even tumours) pose significant health problems. In this work, microparticles, based on polysaccharides (maltodextrin or dextran) and amino acids, and doped with antibacterial nanoparticles (CuO or ZnO NPs) are designed. Smart nano-inmicroparticles with a hierarchical 3D structure are developed. The ultimate goal aims at an innovative platform to achieve skin repair and to manage skin colonization by avoiding infection that could delay and even impair the healing process. The microparticles are prepared by spray-drying and cross-linked by heating, to obtain insoluble scaffolds able to facilitate cell proliferation in the wound bed. The nano-in-microparticles are characterized using a multidisciplinary approach: chemico–physical properties (SEM, SEM-EDX, size distribution, swelling and degradation properties, structural characterization - FTIR, XRPD, SAXS – mechanical properties, surface zeta potential) and preclinical properties (in vitro biocompatibility and whole-blood clotting properties, release studies and antimicrobial properties, and in vivo safety and efficacy on murine burn/excisional wound model) were assessed. The hierarchical 3D nano-in microparticles demonstrate to promote skin tissue repair in a preclinical study, indicating that this platform deserves particular attention and further investigation will promote the prototypes translation to clinics.Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme 814607National Science Foundation (NSF) DMR-0520547EC Horizon 2020 program under the SINE2020 projectESRF 65400

3D geological model of the NW Bajo Segura Basin (Alicante, SE Spain)

Se ha realizado un modelo geológico en 3D de la porción NO de la Cuenca del Bajo Segura, por ser esta la que mostraba una menor complicación geológica. La cuenca se ha dividido en 7 sintemas (nombrados Ab,M1, M2, P1, P2, Pc y Q) y se ha utilizado como base de la cuenca el techo de la Formación Calizas de Las Ventanas (Ve). La construcción del modelo 3D permite un mejor conocimiento geológico de la cuenca. El modelo apunta a una mayor complicación tectónica de lo supuesto en un principio.It has been made a 3D geological model of the NW portion of the Bajo Segura Basin, as this is the one showed a more simple geology. The basin has been divided into 7 synthems (named Ab, M1, M2, P1, P2, Pc, and Q) and has been used as the bottom of the basin the top of the Las Ventanas Formation limestones (Ve). The construction of the 3D model allows a better understanding of the basin geology. The model suggests a much more complicated tectonic structure.Este trabajo ha sido financiado por el proyecto CGL2009-07830/BTE del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación y el grupo GV04B-629 de la Generalitat Valenciana

Contexto geológico y sedimentario del yacimiento de grandes mamíferos Fonelas P-1 (Cuenca de Guadix, Cordillera Bética)

The large mammals palaentological site Fonelas P-1 (late Pliocene) is included in a stratigraphic succession characterizing a meandering fluvial system running along the axial valley of the Guadix Basin. Sedimentological analysis allows us to recognize five facies assemblages belonging to: A) high sinuosity channel infill, B) overbank of the channel, C) progressive abandonment of the channel, D) flood plain, and E) chaotic bioturbated fill. The fossil remains are linked mainly to facies E, interpreted as due to the stamping of the large mammals on the soft channel abandonment facies.Las investigaciones desarrolladas en Fonelas (Granada) son financiadas por el proyecto del IGME 2001-016 y por el Proyecto General de Investigación de la Dirección General del Bienes Culturales (Consejería de Cultura) de la Junta de Andalucía. Este trabajo es una aportación de los proyectos BTE2001-2872 y BOS2001-3888

Sharp-based, mixed carbonate–siliciclastic shallow-marine deposits (upper Miocene, Betic Cordillera, Spain): The record of ancient transgressive shelf ridges?

Isolated sharp-based sedimentary bodies in shelf settings can develop via the reworking of regressive deposits during transgressions. An example of these are shelf ridges, formed under a wide range of processes, and widely studied due to their high reservoir potential. However, there is still a lack of examples in mixed (carbonate–siliciclastic) successions. This study presents an outcrop example from the Upper Miocene of the Betic Cordillera (Spain), with the aim to propose a model for the development of transgressive sharp-based mixed carbonate–siliciclastic deposits, and to provide criteria to differentiate these from their regressive counterparts. The studied succession is ca. 300 m-thick, and shows a cyclic alternation of coarse and fine-grained mixed deposits. Depositional cycles start with siliciclastic-dominated offshore to offshore transition deposits, progressively replaced by lower shoreface deposits. These are abruptly truncated by sharp erosive contacts bioturbated by passively-infilled large burrows; their ichnological features allow assignation to the Glossifungites ichnofacies. These contacts are interpreted as ravinement surfaces. They are overlain by mixed carbonate–siliciclastic barforms, rich in skeletal fragments and extraclasts, and displaying large-scale cross bedding. These form several m-thick and hundreds of m-long depositional elements interpreted as mixed shelf ridges. These ridges formed in a fine-grained, shallow-water shelf, which occasionally received coarse siliciclastic sediment supply via gravity flows, but had a coeval offshore carbonate factory, which provided the skeletal fragments. The sharp-based, coarser-grained nature and lithological break at the base of these mixed carbonate–clastic deposits could lead to their misinterpretation as forced-regressive wedges. However, the nature of their lower contact, combined with the reworked offshore skeletal fragments, and their stacking pattern are consistent with these mixed units forming during transgression. Other studies in relatively time-equivalent deposits have demonstrated the existence of coeval regressive, coarser siliciclastic-dominated shoreline systems in relatively close localities. These evidence a complex basin configuration in the area during the upper Miocene, with the development of local depocentres and relatively narrow corridors or seaways in the Mediterranean–Atlantic connection, which could have favoured shelf reworking processes, but also promoted the development of diverse stacking patterns, reflecting the differential interaction between active tectonics and sedimentation across the region.FEDER AndalucíaSecretaría de Estado de I+D+IAker BPUniversitetet i OsloUniversidad de Granada PID2019-104625RB-100, PID2020-114381GB-100European Regional Development Fund CGL2017-89618-RJunta de Andalucía B-RNM-072-UGR18, P18-RT-4074Agencia Estatal de Investigació

The northeastern sector of the Guadalquivir Foreland Basin (Betic Cordillera, Late Miocene): stratigraphy, chronology and sedimentary evolution

Estudios estratigráficos y sedimentológicos de afloramiento y el análisis paleoecológico y bioestratigráfico mediante foraminíferos, han permitido realizar una reinterpretación sedimentaria de las unidades de margas y areniscas miocenas del sector nororiental de la Cuenca del Guadalquivir. El relleno sedimentario ha sido dividido en cuatro unidades litoestratigráficas (I-IV), todas ellas depositadas durante el Tortoniense, entre 10 y 7.89 Ma, aproximadamente. La Unidad I (Tortoniense antiguo no basal) está fomada por arenas y calizas de algas, y es interpretada como una unidad transgresiva y expansiva sobre el basamento que evoluciona desde ambientes marinos someros a rampa de carbonatos tipo rhodalgal. La Unidad II (Tortoniense inferior, biozona MMi11: entre 10 y 9.54 Ma) está caracterizada por una alternancia rítmica de margas arcillosas y silíceas, depositadas en ambientes pelágicos y profundos de aguas frías-eutróficas, si bien con repetidos cambios en la estratificación y distribución de nutrientes en la columna de agua. Esta unidad registra una importante somerización en su parte superior, dando paso gradual a la Unidad III. La Unidad III (Tortoniense inferior, biozonaMMi11: desde 9.54 Ma) está dominada por areniscas, aunque lateralmente aparecen brechas intraformacionales con estratos contorsionados. Está nutrida por deltas desde la costa y se interpreta como el depósito de bancos arenosos movilizados por la acción de corrientes mareales y el oleaje de tormentas en rampas. La Unidad IV (Tortoniense superior, biozona MMi12: desde 8.35 Ma) está representada por margas pelágicas similares a las de la Unidad II, de la que difiere por la presencia de intercalaciones arenosas genéticamente relacionadas con procesos mareales y de tormentas.A sedimentary revision of the marls and sandstone Miocene Units from the northeastern part of the Guadalquivir basin is here reported. Stratigraphical and sedimentological studies from field outcrop and biostratigraphical and palaeoecological analysis from field samples support the interpretations and results. The sedimentary infilling of the studied part of the basin is divided into four lihostratigraphic units (I to IV). Unit I (Lowermost Tortonian) is mainly represented by calcareous sandstone interpreted as the deposition at coastal systems vertically evolving to rhodalgal ramp environment. Unit II (Lower Tortonian, biozone MMi11: ca. 10-9.54 Ma) is formed by a rhythmite of silty and siliceous marls deposited in pelagic conditions of cold-eutrophic water. Foraminifera record a basinal shallowing from deep water. Heterolithic Unit III (Lower Tortonian, biozoneMMi11: since 9.54Ma) mainly consist of sandstones but slumped brecchias and marls laterally also occur. It is interpreted as sand banks or sand crestal ridges fed from northern margin deltas and controlled by tidal and storm currents in a starved pelagic ramp. Unit IV (Upper Tortonian, biozone MMi12: since 8.35 Ma) is mainly marly and the sedimentary interpretation is analogue to that of Unit III but in a deeper ramp.El estudio se ha financiado por el Proyecto de Investigación CGL2009-07830/BTE (Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia, y Fondos Europeos de Desarrollo Regional-FEDER) y por el Grupo de Investigación RNM-200 (F.G.) de la Junta de Andalucía

Allogenic controls on the cyclicity on the continental sedimentation in the Guadix Basin (Betic Cordillera, Spain) throughout Pliocene and Pleistocene: state of the art

La Cuenca de Guadix (Cordillera Bética, S de España) constituye un escenario ideal para el estudio de los procesos auto- y alogénicos que influyen en la sedimentación continental en cuencas hidrológicamente cerradas. La extensión y continuidad lateral y vertical de los afloramientos y la presencia de numerosos yacimientos arqueológicos y paleontológicos en la zona han permitido interpretar cómo evolucionó la cuenca durante los últimos 4 Ma, y qué factores influyeron en dicha evolución. Estos estudios cobran una mayor importancia al permitir la caracterización de los paleoambientes que constituyeron el hábitat de los primeros pobladores de Europa. En el presente trabajo se muestra una síntesis de los estudios estratigráficos, sedimentológicos, petrológicos y paleoclimáticos más destacados desarrollados en los últimos años en la Cuenca de Guadix y los resultados más novedosos respecto a los controles alogénicos que determinaron la sedimentación continental en la cuenca.The Guadix Basin (Betic Cordillera, S Spain) is the ideal scenario to study the auto- and allogenic processes controlling continental sedimentation in hydrologically closed-basins. The extension and the lateral and vertical continuity of the outcrops, together with abundant archaeological and palaeontological sites in the area, have allowed the interpretation of the evolution of the basin throughout the last 4 Ma and the factors controlling it. These studies become much more important due to their relation to the characterisation of palaeoenvironments inhabited by the first European hominins. In this work, we present a synthesis of the most significative stratigraphical, sedimentological, petrological and palaeoclimatic studies developed in the Guadix Basin in the last decade, and updated results regarding the allogenic factors that controlled the continental sedimentation in the basin.El presente estudio ha sido financiado por el Proyecto CGL2009-07830/BTE (MICINN-FEDER), los Grupos de Investigación RNM-369 y RNM-200 del Plan Andaluz de Investigación y por el ProyectoAHOB-3 (Leverhulme Trust Foundation)

Late Miocene–Pleistocene tectono-sedimentary evolution and subsidence history of the central Betic Cordillera (Spain): a case study in the Guadix intramontane basin

The Guadix Basin became established as an intramontane basin in the central sector of the Betic Cordillera at the beginning of Late Miocene time. Its geodynamic evolution starts with a unit of Tortonian marine sediments and is completed by a unit of Late Turolian–Pleistocene continental sediments. In the two units, six depositional sequences have been differentiated whose boundaries, in most cases, coincide with tectonic events. Geohistorical diagrams show the results of quantitative analyses of subsidence in the northern sector of the basin and permit correlation of the main events with significant changes in the history of subsidence and uplift. A period of strong subsidence occurred at the beginning of Tortonian time causing the formation of a marine basin 800 m deep. The mid- and end-Tortonian tectonic events involved periods of uplift leading to shallowing in the basin. After continentalization at the end of the Tortonian, the basin was uplifted continuously from Late Turolian to Late Pleistocene times, finally accumulating sediments at a height of 1000 m.Financed by the DGICYT, Project AMB95-1557 and by Research Group RNM0163 of the Junta de Andalucía

Role of tectonics on the sedimentary evolution in the western sector of the Guadix Basin (Betic Cordillera, Spain)

In this work we develop an up-to-date stratigraphical scheme of a determinate zone within the western sector of the Guadix Basin (Betic Cordillera, South of Spain), where most of the main large-mammal sites are concentrated. The stratigraphical architecture is highly influenced in this sector by the tectonic evolution of the basin. The boundary between the two main genetic units represents a change in the rate of creation of new accommodation space. This change can be assumed as a consequence of the slowdown of the tectonic subsidence in the area through the Pliocene and the Pleistocene.Proyectos del IGME 2001016 y 2005009, y Proyecto General de Investigación de la Dirección General de Bienes Culturales de la Junta de Andalucía. Este trabajo también forma parte de los resultados del Proyecto CGL2005-06224/BTE y del Grupo de Investigación RNM 163 de la Junta de Andalucía

Palustrine carbonates within Pliocene-Pleistocene fluvial floodplains (Guadix Basin, Granada, Spain)

During its continental stage of infilling (Late Tortonian-Late Pleistocene), the Guadix Basin acted as an endorheic depression in which an axial fluvial system, fed partialy by two transverse alluvial systems, drained towards a large shallow lake located in the eastern sector. At that moment, detritic and carbonate sediments were depositing in the floodplains of the axial valley. The study of the carbonate facies shows that most of them were deposited in palustrine environments. The palustrine carbonate sediments have been characterized according to their degree of pedological modification and to their content in detritic components. Some of the palustrine sediments appear to be related to the progradation of the transverse alluvial fans, which eventually gave way to the blocking of the master drainage towards the east and the temporary development of extensive ponds.Proyectos del IGME 2001016 y 2005009, y Proyecto General de Investigación de la Dirección General de Bienes Culturales de la Junta de Andalucía. Este trabajo también forma parte de los resultados del Proyecto CGL2005-06224/BTE y del Grupo de Investigación RNM 163 de la Junta de Andalucía