Direct comparison of the sensitivity of QCMs and AlN-based TFRs biosensors

We present the direct comparison of the performance of two gravimetric biosensors based on acoustic resonators, a quartz crystal microbalance and a high frequency AlN-based bulk acoustic wave film solidly mounted resonator (SMR). Both sensors are functionalized with streptavidin to detect the response to TBA29 aptamer biotin modified and different concentrations of thrombin. Experimental results reveal that both sensors succeed in detecting the targeted species, although SMRs show significantly greater sensitivity and a lower limit of detectio

Bacteria detection with high-frequency gravimetric biosensors based on AlN thin film resonators

Gravimetric sensors based on shear-mode resonators are suitable for in-liquid detection of biological species because their quality factors barely decrease during in-liquid operation. However, we have found that in the particular case of large ligands, such as bacteria, the transmission of the surface movement to them appears to be more efficient when movement takes place normal to the surface (longitudinal modes) instead of to parallel to it (shear modes). In this work, we succeeded in detecting bacteria with AlN-based bulk acoustic wave solidly mounted resonators operating in longitudinal modes at 2 GHz that we were unable to detect with shear mode

Differential Effects of Dry Eye Disorders on Metabolomic Profile by 1 H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

We used 1 H NMR spectroscopy to analyze the metabolomic profile of reflex tears from patients with dry eye disorders (DEDs). 90 subjects were divided into 2 groups: (1) patients with DEDs (DEDG; = 55) and (2) healthy subjects (CG; = 35). Additionally, the DEDG was subdivided into 2 subgroups based on DED severity: mild-to-moderate and moderate ( = 22 and = 33, resp.). Personal interviews and systematized ophthalmologic examinations were carried out. Reflex tears (20-30 L) were collected by gently rubbing in the inferior meniscus of both eyelids with a microglass pipette and stored at −80 ∘ C until analysis. NMR spectra were acquired using a standard one-dimensional pulse sequence with water suppression. Data were processed and transferred to MATLAB for further chemometric analysis. Main differences in tear composition between DEDG and CG were found in cholesterol, N-acetylglucosamine, glutamate, creatine, amino-n-butyrate, choline, acetylcholine, arginine, phosphoethanolamine, glucose, and phenylalanine levels. This metabolic fingerprint helped also to discriminate between the three additional subgroups of DEDG. Our results suggest that tear metabolic differences between DEDG and CG identified by NMR could be useful in understanding ocular surface pathogenesis and improving biotherapy

Entrevistas a artistas y formatos de interacción. Red para el intercambio de conocimientos y experiencias entre artistas y conservadores-restauradores

Este proyecto ha tenido como objetivo la creación de una red interdisciplinar, internivelar, interdepartamental e interfacultativa de profesores, estudiantes y alumni de las áreas de Bellas Artes, Conservación-Restauración y Diseño de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid y de la Universidad de La Laguna. El presente proyecto surge de la necesidad constatada durante el contexto del COVID-19 de proporcionar nuevas herramientas a los estudiantes que les permitan desarrollar las competencias que sus titulaciones establecen y de fortalecer el tejido de interacciones transdisciplinares dentro de la Facultad de Bellas Artes. A través de una convocataoria pública a artistas y de una reflexión en torno a la metodología de entrevista al artista en conservación-restauración de arte contemporáneo, se han desarrollado dinámicas interdisciplinares y estrategias de enseñanza-aprendizaje horizontales entre artistas, profesores y estudiantes de distintos niveles (grado, postgrado, doctorado) como fórmula para amplificar la generación de conocimiento en la universidad. El proyecto ha abarcado la dirección de TFGs, el desarrollo de una investigación en torno a nuevos formatos de interacción entre conservadores-restauradores y artistas, y el desarrollo de dos seminarios públicos. Esta memoria recoge los objetivos propuestos y evalúa los alcanzados en base a una serie de indicadores, describe la metodología utilizada en el proyecto, analiza las características del equipo de trabajo y expone las actividades desarrolladas durante el curso 2020-2021. Los Anexos incluyen documentación sobre las actividades desarrolladas e imágenes sobre los procesos de investigación

Investigación joven con perspectiva de género II

Actas del II Congreso de jóvenes investigadorxs con perspectiva de género (Getafe, 26 y 27 de junio de 2017) organizado por el Instituto Universitario de Estudios de Género de la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Diez consejos útiles en la práctica médica Ten useful advices in medical practice

El arte y la ciencia en la medicina representan 2 aspectos de un todo único. La conjunción armónica de la teoría con la práctica es indispensable en el ejercicio de la medicina. Se presentan una serie de experiencias sintetizadas en un código de conducta, que creemos de utilidad para la práctica médica, y al cual los autores agregan algunas consideraciones personales.<br>Art and science in medicine represent 2 aspects of a unique whole. The harmonic conjunction of theory and practice is indispensable for the exercise of medicine. Some experiences synthesized in a behavior code that we believe can be useful for medical practice, and to which the authors add some personal considerations, are presented

Veinte consejos para los médicos

La experiencia se obtiene de nuestro trabajo diario, de lo que vemos, de las reflexiones que realizamos y de las conclusiones que elaboramos apoyadas en nuestros conocimientos. En el presente trabajo exponemos y comentamos veinte consejos que abarcan diferentes aspectos del actuar médico que pueden ser útiles para todos los profesionales, sobre todo a los más jóvenes

Selection of aptamers to Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae surface specific proteins and affinity assay using thin film AIN resonators

The first steps in the development of an aptasensor for bacterial meningitis diagnosis in real time are described: slow off-rate modified aptamers (SOMAmer) selection, gravimetric sensor fabrication and functionalization of its active surface. SOMAmers polyclonal populations were generated to surface specific proteins PavA (S. pneumoniae) and FHbp (N. meningitidis) by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment method (SELEX). After eight rounds, they were tested by direct enzyme-linked oligonucleotide assays (ELONA) and by high frequency (1.4 GHz) gravimetric sensors based on thin film AlN resonators operating in shear mode. The sensing surface of the resonators was functionalized using a silane-glutaraldehyde based protocol and the binding of PavA and FHbp was measured in real time. The SOMAmers polyclonal populations showing the best ELONA results have been also tested using gravimetric sensors and the binding to the protein functionalized surface was measured in real time showing positive results. These first steps towards the development of an aptasensor for the targeted bacteria demonstrate the potential of the method for sensitive, rapid, and cost effective detection of bacterial meningitis

Gravimetric biosensor based on a 1.3 GHz AlN shear-mode solidly mounted resonator

We investigate the performance of solidly mounted resonators based on Ir/tilted-AlN/Ir piezoelectric stacks as biosensors. These films are deposited by varying the pressure, the cathode power and the tem- perature of a two-step process based on depositing (00 • 2)-tilted AlN active layers over an (10 • 3)-oriented AlN seed layer. To minimize the influence of the temperature coefficient of frequency on the stability of the biosensor, we use insulating acoustic mirrors made of layers of SiO 2 and amorphous TaO x with non- /4 thicknesses, which enables to reduce the TCF to − 14 ppm/ ◦ C. The mass loading of the resonators with SiO 2 thin films results in a sensitivity of 1800 kHz/pg • cm 2 . Surface functionalization consists on the binding of silane groups on plasma oxidized SiO 2 surfaces. After a glutaraldehyde link, streptavidin is bonded to the surface to receive biotinylated receptors for several species. We test thrombin-binding aptamer (TBA29 against thrombin, and IgG antibody against immunoglobulin). The sensors response to species of different molecular weight like TBA-29 (9.75 kDa) or IgG antibody (150 kDa) is monitored. Finally, we assess the response of the biosensors to different thrombin concentrations (ranging from 4 nM to 270 nM) on surfaces functionalized with the TBA29 aptamer