Green extracellular synthesis of silver nanoparticles by Pseudomonas alloputida, their growth and biofilm-formation inhibitory activities and synergic behavior with three classical antibiotics

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is on the rise and hinders the fight against bacterial infections, which are expected to cause millions of deaths by 2050. New antibiotics are difficult to find, so alternatives are needed. One could be metal-based drugs, such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). In general, chemical methods for AgNPs’ production are potentially toxic, and the physical ones expensive, while green approaches are not. In this paper, we present the green synthesis of AgNPs using two Pseudomonas alloputida B003 UAM culture broths, sampled from their exponential and stationary growth phases. AgNPs were physicochemically characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), showing differential characteristics depending on the synthesis method used. Antibacterial activity was tested in three assays, and we compared the growth and biofilm-formation inhibition of six test bacteria: Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. We also monitored nanoparticles’ synergic behavior through the growth inhibition of E. coli and S. aureus by three classical antibiotics: ampicillin, nalidixic acid, and streptomycin. The results indicate that very good AgNP activity was obtained with particularly low MICs for the three tested strains of P. aeruginosa. A good synergistic effect on streptomycin activity was observed for all the nanoparticles. For ampicillin, a synergic effect was detected only against S. aureus. ROS production was found to be related to the AgNPs’ antibacterial activit

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Extrusion and Deposition Process of a Poly(lactic Acid) Strand with Fused Deposition Modeling

[Abstract] In the last decade, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) has gained popularity for allowing the fabrication of pieces with complex shapes. The final quality of the pieces is strongly linked to the shape, size and surface finish of the strands deposited successively, which themselves depend on the printing parameters and extruded material properties. In this work, we present an experimental characterization of an extruded and deposited single strand of Poly-Lactic Acid (PLA), by means of high-speed visualization of the bead region between the substrate and the nozzle, where the molten polymer is still in liquid phase. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model proposed in literature, and, based on isothermal and viscous flow assumptions, is validated with this data in terms of strand height and meniscus shape. The characteristics of the printed layer are also confronted to the measurements of the solidified strands by microscopy, with a good agreement. The focus on high printing speeds allows extending the conclusions of previous studies. Regarding the surface finish, the roughness patterns detected on the printed strands are correlated to the velocity fluctuations of the printing head. The CFD model does not capture those thickness variations, however, due to not accounting for solidificationXunta de Galicia; ED431C 2019/1

Los mayores y las nuevas tecnologías de la comunicación

[Resumen] Fundamentos: En una sociedad envejecida es necesario establecer nuevas alternativas que de alguna manera traten de satisfacer las necesidades de las personas mayores, a la vez que incrementen su calidad de vida percibida. En este sentido, las nuevas tecnologías, como la informática, se han convertido en una herramienta básica de nuestra sociedad, de la que los mayores, sin ninguna duda, podrán beneficiarse. El objetivo del presente trabajo es conocer la opinión de los mayores acerca de temas relacionados con la informática e Internet, así como su capacidad de acceso a las nuevas tecnologías y los conocimientos con los que cuentan. Métodos: Se realiza una entrevista estandarizada, de diseño propio, a una muestra de 105 personas mayores con una edad media de 73 años, residentes en la ciudad de A Coruña. Resultados: De los resultados obtenidos se constata que aunque la mayoría de las personas mayores no cuenta con ordenador personal ni ha trabajado con aplicaciones informáticas, les gustaría aprender más sobre este campo. Además, cuando se conectan a Internet lo hacen desde centros sociales y/o educativos, no encontrando excesivos problemas en su manejo y navegación. Conclusiones: Es necesario fomentar el uso de la informática por parte de los mayores, ya que en un futuro puede constituir una herramienta imprescindible en la intervención sobre problemas inherentes al envejecimiento como son el aislamiento o la soledad entre otros.[Abstract] new alternatives, that somehow try to satisfy the needs of elderly people and that at the same time increase their quality of life. On this sense, the new technologies, such as computer science, have become a basic tool of our society, and the elderly, without no doubt will be able to benefit from it. The objective of the present work is to know what the elderly think about themes related to computer science and internet, as well as their capacity of accessing to new technologies, and the knowledge that they have about them. Methods: A standarized interview has been made, it´s self designed, to a sample of 105 elderly people living in the city of A Coruña. Results: Although most elderly people don´t have a personal computer neither have worked with a computer application, would like to learn more about this field. When they are connected to internet they do it from social and/or educative centres, not having great problems neither in its handling or navigation. Conclusions: It´s necessary to promote the use of computer science on the elderly people, since in a future it can constitute an essential tool in the intervention on inherent problems to aging such as isolation or loneliness among others

Cognitive-enhanced eHealth psychosocial stepped intervention for managing breast cancer-related cognitive impairment: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Breast cancer often leads to cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), which includes both objective and subjective cognitive deficits. While psychosocial interventions benefit quality of life and distress reduction, their impact on cognitive deficits is uncertain. This study evaluates the integration of a cognitive module into a digital psychosocial intervention for breast cancer patients. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), 88 recently diagnosed breast cancer (BC) patients will receive the ICOnnecta’t program (control group) – a digital stepped intervention addressing a variety of psychosocial needs. The experimental group (n = 88) will receive ICOnnecta’t plus a cognitive module. Assessments at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months will measure the interventions’ impact on cognition, emotional distress, medication adherence, quality of life, post-traumatic stress, work functioning and healthcare experience. Feasibility and cost-utility analyses will also be conducted. Results: The cognitive module includes three levels. The first level contains a cognitive screening using FACT-Cog Perceived Cognitive Impairment (PCI). Patients with PCI <54 progress to a cognitive psychoeducational campus (Level 2) with content on cognitive education, behavioural strategies and mindfulness. Patients with persistent or worsened PCI (≥6) after 3 months move to Level 3, an online cognitive training through CogniFit software delivered twice a week over 12 weeks. Conclusions: This study assesses whether integrating a cognitive module into a digital psychosocial intervention improves objective and subjective cognition in breast cancer patients. Secondary outcomes explore cognitive improvement’s impact on psychosocial variables. The research will contribute to testing efficacious approaches for detecting and addressing cognitive dysfunction in breast cancer patients

Análisis experimental de estructura aeroespaciales fabricadas mediante impresión 3D

Jornada de Innovación Docente: resultados y estrategias, celebrada el 22 de junio de 2016 en la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, donde se presentan algunos de los proyectos de innovación docente del curso 2015-2016

Optimizing the procedure to manufacture clinical‐grade NK cells for adoptive immunotherapy

Natural killer (NK) cells represent promising tools for cancer immunotherapy. We report the optimization of an NK cell activation–expansion process and its validation on clinical‐scale. Methods: RPMI‐1640, stem cell growth medium (SCGM), NK MACS and TexMACS were used as culture mediums. Activated and expanded NK cells (NKAE) were obtained by coculturing total peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or CD45RA+ cells with irradiated K562mbIL15‐41BBL or K562mbIL21‐41BBL. Fold increase, NK cell purity, activation status, cytotoxicity and transcriptome profile were analyzed. Clinical‐grade NKAE cells were manufactured in CliniMACS Prodigy. Results: NK MACS and TexMACs achieved the highest NK cell purity and lowest T cell contamination. Obtaining NKAE cells from CD45RA+ cells was feasible although PBMC yielded higher total cell numbers and NK cell purity than CD45RA+ cells. The highest fold expansion and NK purity were achieved by using PBMC and K562mbIL21‐41BBL cells. However, no differences in activation and cytotoxicity were found when using either NK cell source or activating cell line. Transcriptome profile showed to be different between basal NK cells and NKAE cells expanded with K562mbIL21‐41BBL or K562mbIL15‐41BBL. Clinical‐grade manufactured NKAE cells complied with the specifications from the Spanish Regulatory Agency. Conclusions: GMP‐grade NK cells for clinical use can be obtained by using different starting cells and aAPCThis work was supported by the National Health Service of Spain, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), FONDOS FEDER grant (FIS) PI18/01301 to Pérez-Martínez A, CRIS Foundation to Beat Cancer to Escudero A, Fernández A; Navarro A, Mirones I, and Fundación Mari Paz Jiménez Casado and La Sonrisa de Álex to Vela

Axillary lymph node dissection versus radiotherapy in breast cancer with positive sentinelnodes after neoadjuvant therapy (ADARNAT trial)

Introduction: Breast cancer surgery currently focuses on de-escalating treatment without compromising patient survival. Axillary radiotherapy (ART) now replaces axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in patients with limited sentinel lymph node (SLN) involvement during the primary surgery, and this has significantly reduced the incidence of lymphedema without worsening the prognosis. However, patients treated with neoadjuvant systemic treatment (NST) cannot benefit from this option despite the low incidence of residual disease in the armpit in most cases. Data regarding the use of radiotherapy instead of ALND in this population are lacking. This study will assess whether ART is non-inferior to ALND in terms of recurrence and overall survival in patients with positive SLN after NST, including whether it reduces surgery-related adverse effects. Methods and analyses: This multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial will enroll 1660 patients with breast cancer and positive SLNs following NST in approximately 50 Spanish centers over 3 years. Patients will be stratified by NST regimen and nodal involvement (isolated tumoral cells or micrometastasis versus macrometastasis) and randomly assigned 1:1 to ART without ALND (study arm) or ALND alone (control arm). Level 3 and supraclavicular radiotherapy will be added in both arms. The primary outcome is the 5-year axillary recurrence determined by clinical and radiological examination. The secondary outcomes include lymphedema or arm dysfunction, quality of life based (EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 questionnaires), disease-free survival, and overall survival. Discussion: This study aims to provide data to confirm the efficacy and safety of ART over ALND in patients with a positive SLN after NST, together with the impact on morbidity. Ethics and dissemination: The Research Ethics Committee of Bellvitge University Hospital approved this trial (Protocol Record PR148/21, version 3, 1/2/2022) and all patients must provide written informed consent. The involvement of around 50 centers across Spain will facilitate the dissemination of our results

Transactive Response DNA-Binding Protein (TARDBP/TDP-43) Regulates Cell Permissivity to HIV-1 Infection by Acting on HDAC6

The transactive response DNA-binding protein (TARDBP/TDP-43) influences the processing of diverse transcripts, including that of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6). Here, we assessed TDP-43 activity in terms of regulating CD4+ T-cell permissivity to HIV-1 infection. We observed that overexpression of wt-TDP-43 increased both mRNA and protein levels of HDAC6, resulting in impaired HIV-1 infection independently of the viral envelope glycoprotein complex (Env) tropism. Consistently, using an HIV-1 Env-mediated cell-to-cell fusion model, the overexpression of TDP-43 levels negatively affected viral Env fusion capacity. Silencing of endogenous TDP-43 significantly decreased HDAC6 levels and increased the fusogenic and infection activities of the HIV-1 Env. Using pseudovirus bearing primary viral Envs from HIV-1 individuals, overexpression of wt-TDP-43 strongly reduced the infection activity of Envs from viremic non-progressors (VNP) and rapid progressors (RP) patients down to the levels of the inefficient HIV-1 Envs observed in long-term non-progressor elite controllers (LTNP-EC). On the contrary, silencing endogenous TDP-43 significantly favored the infectivity of primary Envs from VNP and RP individuals, and notably increased the infection of those from LTNP-EC. Taken together, our results indicate that TDP-43 shapes cell permissivity to HIV-1 infection, affecting viral Env fusion and infection capacities by altering the HDAC6 levels and associated tubulin-deacetylase anti-HIV-1 activity.This work is supported by the Spanish AIDS network “Red Temática Cooperativa de Investigación en SIDA” RD12/0017/0002, RD12/0017/0028, RD12/0017/0034, RD16/0025/0011, RDCIII16/0002/0005 and RD16/0025/0041 as part of the Plan Nacional R + D+I and co-funded by the Spanish “Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)-Subdirección General de Evaluación y el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER)”. J.B. is a researcher from “Fundació Institut de Recerca en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol” supported by the Health Department of the Catalonian Government/Generalitat de Catalunya and ISCIII grant numbers PI17/01318 and PI20/00093 (to J.B.). Work in CC Lab was supported by grants SAF (2010-17226) and (2016-77894-R) from MINECO (Spain), FIS (PI 13/02269, ISCIII) and PI20/00093. Work in CF Lab was supported by the Cabildo Insular de Tenerife (grants CGIEU0000219140 and “Apuestas científicas del ITER para colaborar en la lucha contra la COVID-19”); the agreement with the Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables (ITER) to strengthen scientific and technological education, training research, development and innovation in Genomics, Personalized Medicine and Biotechnology (grant number OA17/008). A.V.-F.’s Lab is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), RTI2018-093747-B-100 (“Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación”, Spain), “Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades” (Spain), ProID2020010093 (“Agencia Canaria de Investigación, Innovación y Sociedad de la Información” and European Social Fund), UNLL10-3E-783 (ERDF and “Fundación CajaCanarias”) and “SEGAI-ULL”. S.P-Y is funded by “Fundación Doctor Manuel Morales” (La Palma, Spain) and “Contrato Predoctoral Ministerio-ULL Formación de Doctores” (2019 Program) (“Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades”, Spain). R.C.-R. is funded by RD16/0025/0011 and ProID2020010093 (“Agencia Canaria de Investigación, Innovación y Sociedad de la Información” and European Social Fund). J.G.-L. is funded by the “Juan de la Cierva de Incorporación” Spanish Program (IJC2019-038902-I) (“Ayudas Juan de la Cierva de incorporación; Agencia Estatal de Investigación. Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación”).S

Observation of the Ξ−b→J/ψΛK−decay

The observation of the decay Ξ−b→J/ψΛK−is reported, using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb−1, collected by the LHCb detector in ppcollisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7and 8 TeV. The production rate of Ξ−bbaryons detected in the decay Ξ−b→J/ψΛK−is measured relative to that of Λ0bbaryons using the decay Λ0b→J/ψΛ. Integrated over the b-baryon transverse momentum pT<25 GeV/cand rapidity 2.0 <y <4.5, the measured ratio is fΞ − b fΛ0 b B(Ξ − b → J/ψΛK− ) B(Λ0 b → J/ψΛ) = (4.19±0.29 (stat)± 0.15 (syst))×10−2, where fΞ−band fΛ0bare the fragmentation fractions of b →Ξ−band b →Λ0btransitions, and Brepresents the branching fraction of the corresponding b-baryon decay. The mass difference between Ξ−band Λ0bbaryons is measured to be M(Ξ − b )− M(Λ0 b ) = 177.08±0.47 (stat)± 0.16 (syst)MeV/c2.S