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The advance in the development of augmented reality technologies has attracted interest in their applicability in rescue scenarios. The characteristics of the different missions covered by First Responders, as well as the different objectives they can cover in a rescue operation, condition the importance of the additional information they can receive in these rescue processes through technology. This white paper aims to analyze the difficulties encountered when converging on the design of an interface that is adaptable to the professional and contextual circumstances in a rescue task.

This longitudinal study aimed to analyze the effects of a team rowing-based training program on physical fitness and anthropometric parameters in female breast cancer survivors (n = 40; 56.78 ± 6.38 years). Participants were divided into two groups: one rowed in fixed seat rowing (FSR) boats (n = 20; 56.35 ± 4.89 years) and the other in sliding seat rowing (SSR) boats (n = 20; 57.20 ± 7.7 years). Both groups engaged in two 75-min sessions per week for 24 weeks. Significant improvements were observed in both groups in resting heart rate (FSR: −10.65 bpm; SSR: −8.45 bpm), heart rate at the beginning of the 6-min walk test (6 MWT) (FSR: −10.7 bpm; SSR: −11.25 bpm), and heart rate at the end of the test (FSR: −13.85 bpm; SSR: −20.35 bpm). Blood pressure improved significantly in both diastolic blood pressure (FSR: −12.35 mmHg; SSR: −19.25 mmHg) and systolic blood pressure (FSR: −13 mmHg; SSR: −16.95 mmHg). Additionally, both groups increased the distance covered in the 6 MWT (FSR: +63.05 m; SSR: +93.65 m). These results suggest that a rowing training program is a viable and safe activity for female breast cancer survivors, improving cardiac function, blood pressure, and cardiorespiratory capacity, particularly in sliding seat boats.

Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter involved in a series of biologically relevant processes and its derivatives have sparked significant interest as intriguing synthetic targets. This class of compounds is indeed not only considerable for the potential biological activities but is also promising for diverse applications in material science. In light of this, our research was focused on the synthesis of 6-aryldopamine derivatives starting from 4-(2-aminoethyl)phenol through a sequential protocol, whose main steps are hydroxylation, halogenation, and Suzuki cross-coupling. Our method demonstrated versatility, efficiency, and compatibility with various functional groups, including aldehydes, ketones, esters, ethers, and fluorine.

The main purpose of this study was to study the effects of a specific rowing ergometer training program on the athletic performance of young adolescents (N = 56; 11.73 ± 1.4 years old) compared to a workout based on general strength training. An eight-week training program was implemented, with four sessions per week and two hours per session. The sample was divided into two groups: a control group (CG) that performed circuit training with exercises aimed at building general strength and an experimental group (EG) who focused on specifically training on a rowing ergometer (rowing machine). The data obtained in a rowing meter test over the competition distance were analyzed to obtain the average power attained (W) at the beginning of the training, at the middle (4 weeks), at the end of the training (8 weeks) and one year after the experimentation. The results show that although both forms of training improve the average W obtained in both categories, the EG subjects (+29.94 W) obtained better averages in all phases of the study compared to the CG (+5.88 W). Furthermore, this increase was greater in male rowers (+34.06 W) than in female rowers (+24.54 W). These results reveal that a specific rower rowing ergometer training program has a more significant effect than a general strength program and these effects can even be observed a year after the intervention.

Entre los factores actualmente identificados en la aparición del acné se encuentra la proliferación bacteriana de Cutibacterium acnes debida a la seborrea y la hiperqueratosis. Los tratamientos tópicos para el acné son estrictamente necesarios y van desde antibióticos hasta ácido salicílico dependiendo siempre del tipo de acné que se desee tratar. Los mecanismos de acción principales de los productos de uso tópico para esta enfermedad van encaminados a eliminar el exceso de bacterias de la piel y reducir el proceso de enrojecimiento y la inflamación. Para el tratamiento de esta enfermedad se desarrollaron dos cremas utilizando dos concentraciones de OLEOZON® tópico como ingrediente farmacéutico activo, con polisorbato 80 como agente emulgente y otros excipientes. Se realizó un estudio de estabilidad durante seis meses, el cual mostró su comportamiento a las dos temperaturas de almacenamiento (2-8˚C y 30˚C) desde el punto de vista organoléptico, físico-químico y microbiológico. Este último demostró una marcada actividad antimicrobiana y ausencia de microrganismos en las muestras durante los seis meses de estudio. Las propiedades organolépticas mostraron mejores resultados a bajas temperaturas de almacenamiento, ya que se mantuvieron uniformes en cuanto a color, olor y textura; de igual forma la evaluación físico-química corroboró un mejor comportamiento para las cremas almacenadas a bajas temperaturas

El OLEOSOL, emulsión hidroalcohólica con acción antiséptica que contiene aceite de girasol ozonizado (OLEOZON® tópico) como ingrediente activo, se utiliza para la limpieza profunda de las manos y superficies. Además de su acción germicida, es necesario que el OLEOSOL posea un aroma agradable durante su empleo. Para ello se procedió a la incorporación de fragancia Lavanda-Camomila. Se realizó un estudio comparativo en el que se emplearon dos esencias herbáceas Alecrim qt. Cineol (Rosmarinus officinalis) y Citronela (Cymbopogon nardus). Fueron preparadas muestras de OLEOSOL a las que se adicionó fragancia en concentraciones de 1,0 y 1,5 % (v/v). La evaluación de la estabilidad de estos productos durante 90 días se llevó a cabo mediante la determinación de las propiedades organolépticas, ensayos químicos y microbiológicos. La aceptabilidad sensorial de las siete formulaciones desarrolladas se realizó a través del uso de una escala hedónica. En todos los parámetros evaluados se observa la superioridad sensorial de la formulación con Lavanda-Camomila a las dos concentraciones, en comparación con el OLEOSOL. Aquellos con contenido de fragancia presentaron un aroma floral agradable, característico de la esencia utilizada, más acentuado en la mezcla con 1,5 % (v/v), aunque la pérdida de aromaticidad se verifica más rápidamente a esta concentración. Tanto en el OLEOSOL como en las muestras que contenían fragancia, el Índice de Peróxido y el pH tuvieron un comportamiento lineal y exponencial, durante el período del estudio de estabilidad. Los productos desarrollados mostraron frente a cepas de Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 y

Los aceites vegetales ozonizados debido a su capacidad antimicrobiana, son una alternativa importante para el tratamiento de enfermedades de etiología infecciosa en humanos y animales. El objetivo del estudio fue la obtención y caracterización de los aceites de girasol y de oliva ozonizados con niveles diferentes de concentración de compuestos peroxídicos. El primer intervalo de índice de peróxidos de 700-800 y el segundo con alto contenido de peróxidos de 1500 a 1900 mmeqO2/kg. Ambos aceites fueron ozonizados en una columna de burbujeo estableciendo en todos los casos la misma velocidad superficial del gas. Los tiempos de reacción de aproximadamente de dos horas y media para IP de 700 a 800 y de cuatro horas para el intervalo de 1500 a 1900. El producto final se evaluó en términos de índice de peróxido, índice de acidez, viscosidad y concentración mínima inhibitoria. Se compararon los resultados tanto químico-físicos como microbiológicos de ambos aceites con respecto a las dosis de ozono aplicadas, considerando la composición química de cada uno de ellos. Las mayores diferencias se reportan en el intervalo de IP de 1500 a 1900 mmoleq/kg. Los aceites de girasol y oliva ozonizados en el intervalo de 700 a 800, mostraron efecto antimicrobiano similar frente a bacterias, mientras que frente a la levadura el valor de la CMI resultó menor para el aceite de girasol ozonizado, en el caso de estos aceites ozonizados con altos valores de IP, el aceite de girasol demostró una actividad antimicrobiana mayor

Tissue engineering is an interdisciplinary field that develops new methods to enhance the regeneration of damaged tissues, including those of wounds. Polymer systems containing bioactive molecules can play an important role in accelerating tissue regeneration, mitigating inflammation process, and fighting bacterial infection. Chitosan (CS) has attracted much attention regarding its use in wound healing system fabrication thanks to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and the presence of functional groups in its structure. In this work, bioactive chitosan-based membranes were obtained by both chemical and physical modifications of the polymer with glycidyl methacrylate and glycerol (GLY), respectively. The most suitable GLY concentration to obtain wound healing systems with good elongation at break, a good water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), and good wettability values was 20% (w/w). Afterwards, the membranes were crosslinked with different concentrations of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). By using a concentration of 0.05 mM EGDMA, membranes with a contact angle and WVTR values suitable for the application were obtained. To make the system bioactive, 3,4-dihydrocinnamic acid (HCAF) was introduced into the membranes, either by imbibition or chemical reaction, using laccase as a catalyst. Thermal and mechanical analyses confirmed the formation of a cohesive network, which limited the plasticizing effect of GLY, particularly when HCAF was chemically bound. The HCAF-imbibed membrane showed a good antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, highlighting the potential of this system for the treatment of wound healing.

Sepsis due to peritonitis is a process associated with an inflammatory state. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) modulate the immune system due to the paracrine factors released and may be a therapeutic alternative. Three treatment groups were developed in a murine model of peritonitis to verify the effect of human adipose mesenchymal stem cell (hASCs). Additionally, a temporary modification was carried out on them to improve their arrival in inflamed tissues (CXCR4), as well as their anti-inflammatory activity (IL-10). The capacity to reduce systemic inflammation was studied using a local application (peritoneal injection) as a treatment route. Comparisons involving the therapeutic effect of wild-type ASCs and ASCs transiently expressing CXCR4 and IL-10 were carried out with the aim of generating an improved anti-inflammatory response for sepsis in addition to standard antibiotic treatment. However, under the experimental conditions used in these studies, no differences were found between both groups with ASCs. The peritoneal administration of hASCs or genetically modified hASCs constitutes an efficient and safe therapy in our model of mouse peritonitis.

Haemophilus influenzae is a gram-negative bacterium of relevant clinical interest. H. influenzae Rd KW20 was the first organism to be sequenced and for which a genome-scale metabolic model (GEM) was developed. However, current H. influenzae GEMs are unable to capture several aspects of metabolome nature related to metabolite pools. To directly and comprehensively characterize the endometabolome of H. influenzae Rd KW20, we performed a multiplatform MS-based metabolomics approach combining LC-MS, GC-MS and CE-MS. We obtained direct evidence of 15–20% of the endometabolome present in current H. influenzae GEMs and showed that polar metabolite pools are interconnected through correlating metabolite islands. Notably, we obtained high-quality evidence of 18 metabolites not previously included in H. influenzae GEMs, including the antimicrobial metabolite cyclo(Leu-Pro). Additionally, we comprehensively characterized and evaluated the quantitative composition of the phospholipidome of H. influenzae, revealing that the fatty acyl chain composition is largely independent of the lipid class, as well as that the probability distribution of phospholipids is mostly related to the conditional probability distribution of individual acyl chains. This finding enabled us to provide a rationale for the observed phospholipid profiles and estimate the abundance of low-level species, permitting the expansion of the phospholipidome characterization through predictive probabilistic modelling.

En el presente trabajo se determinó la causa de la falla en el techo flotante de un tanque que almacena gasolina en una refinería de petróleo. Mediante la inspección visual se observó el elevado deterioro de las planchas de aluminio que conforman la membrana y se percibió un sólido esparcido sobre las mismas. El estudio estructural de la aleación se realizó mediante la Espectrometría de Emisión por Arco Eléctrico y Metalografía. Los productos de corrosión se caracterizaron por Difractometría de rayos-X. El material se correspondió con la aleación de aluminio 3003 y no se encontraron deficiencias estructurales que sensibilizaran el material a la corrosión. En la superficie expuesta a la humedad y al oxígeno se evidenció el ataque localizado. La causa de la falla fue la corrosión galvánica, debido a diferencias de concentración de oxígeno entre las zonas cubiertas del sólido y las zonas libres del mismo.

The present work aims to assess the impact of morphology and reducibility on lanthanum-doped ceria nanocatalysts with controlled morphology on the NO oxidation reaction. Specifically, samples were prepared using a hydrothermal method incorporating lanthanum at varying molar concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 15 mol.%) into ceria with a controlled morphology (nanocubes and nanorods). The structural, compositional, and redox characterization of these catalysts has been performed via scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (X-EDS), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR), and oxygen storage capacity (OSC). NO oxidation catalytic tests were conducted, and the results were compared with estimated curves (obtained by considering the proportions of the corresponding components), which revealed the presence of a synergistic effect between lanthanum and ceria. The degree of enhancement was found to depend on both the morphology and the amount of lanthanum incorporated into CeO2. These findings may facilitate the optimization of features concerning ceria-based nanocatalysts for the removal of NOx emissions from exhaust gases.

Six months of stratospheric aerosol observations with the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET) from August 2017 to January 2018 are presented. The decay phase of an unprecedented, record-breaking stratospheric perturbation caused by wildfire smoke is reported and discussed in terms of geometrical, optical, and microphysical aerosol properties. Enormous amounts of smoke were injected into the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere over fire areas in western Canada on 12 August 2017 during strong thunderstorm–pyrocumulonimbus activity. The stratospheric fire plumes spread over the entire Northern Hemisphere in the following weeks and months. Twenty-eight European lidar stations from northern Norway to southern Portugal and the eastern Mediterranean monitored the strong stratospheric perturbation on a continental scale. The main smoke layer (over central, western, southern, and eastern Europe) was found at heights between 15 and 20 km since September 2017 (about 2 weeks after entering the stratosphere). Thin layers of smoke were detected at heights of up to 22–23 km. The stratospheric aerosol optical thickness at 532 nm decreased from values > 0.25 on 21–23 August 2017 to 0.005–0.03 until 5–10 September and was mainly 0.003–0.004 from October to December 2017 and thus was still significantly above the stratospheric background (0.001–0.002). Stratospheric particle extinction coefficients (532 nm) were as high as 50–200 Mm−1 until the beginning of September and on the order of 1 Mm−1 (0.5–5 Mm−1) from October 2017 until the end of January 2018. The corresponding layer mean particle mass concentration was on the order of 0.05–0.5 µg m−3 over these months. Soot particles (light-absorbing carbonaceous particles) are efficient ice-nucleating particles (INPs) at upper tropospheric (cirrus) temperatures and available to influence cirrus formation when entering the tropopause from above. We estimated INP concentrations of 50–500 L−1 until the first days in September and afterwards 5–50 L−1 until the end of the year 2017 in the lower stratosphere for typical cirrus formation temperatures of −55 ∘C and an ice supersaturation level of 1.15. The measured profiles of the particle linear depolarization ratio indicated a predominance of nonspherical smoke particles. The 532 nm depolarization ratio decreased slowly with time in the main smoke layer from values of 0.15–0.25 (August–September) to values of 0.05–0.10 (October–November) and < 0.05 (December–January). The decrease of the depolarization ratio is consistent with aging of the smoke particles, growing of a coating around the solid black carbon core (aggregates), and thus change of the shape towards a spherical form. We found ascending aerosol layer features over the most southern European stations, especially over the eastern Mediterranean at 32–35∘ N, that ascended from heights of about 18–19 to 22–23 km from the beginning of October to the beginning of December 2017 (about 2 km per month). We discuss several transport and lifting mechanisms that may have had an impact on the found aerosol layering structures.

The bacterial archetypal adaptive immune system, CRISPR-Cas, is thought to be repressed in the best-studied bacterium, Escherichia coli K-12. We show here that the E. coli CRISPR-Cas system is active and serves to inhibit its nine defective (i.e., cryptic) prophages. Specifically, compared to the wild-type strain, reducing the amounts of specific interfering RNAs (crRNA) decreases growth by 40%, increases cell death by 700%, and prevents persister cell resuscitation. Similar results were obtained by inactivating CRISPR-Cas by deleting the entire 13 spacer region (CRISPR array); hence, CRISPR-Cas serves to inhibit the remaining deleterious effects of these cryptic prophages, most likely through CRISPR array-derived crRNA binding to cryptic prophage mRNA rather than through cleavage of cryptic prophage DNA, i.e., self-targeting. Consistently, four of the 13 E. coli spacers contain complementary regions to the mRNA sequences of seven cryptic prophages, and inactivation of CRISPR-Cas increases the level of mRNA for lysis protein YdfD of cryptic prophage Qin and lysis protein RzoD of cryptic prophage DLP-12. In addition, lysis is clearly seen via transmission electron microscopy when the whole CRISPR-Cas array is deleted, and eliminating spacer #12, which encodes crRNA with complementary regions for DLP-12 (including rzoD), Rac, Qin (including ydfD), and CP4-57 cryptic prophages, also results in growth inhibition and cell lysis. Therefore, we report the novel results that (i) CRISPR-Cas is active in E. coli and (ii) CRISPR-Cas is used to tame cryptic prophages, likely through RNAi, i.e., unlike with active lysogens, active CRISPR-Cas and cryptic prophages may stably co-exist.

Single cell elemental (SC) analysis of isogenic cell cultures can be done using inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS) detection. However, 2D cell cultures are just models to simplify the complexity of real tissue samples. Here, we show for the first time the capabilities of the technique (SC-ICP-MS) to analyze single cell suspensions of isolated cells from tissues. An optimized cocktail of proteolytic and collagenolytic enzymes was applied in a single preparation step with cellular yields up to 28% using 0.5 g of fresh rat spleen and liver, respectively. The retrieved cells revealed adequate morphology and stability to be examined by SC-ICP-MS. Quantitative elemental analysis of P, S, Cu, and Fe from disaggregated cells from rat spleen and liver tissues revealed levels of Fe of 7–16 fg/cell in the spleen and 8–12 fg/cell in the liver, while Cu was about 3–5 fg/cell in the spleen and 1.5–2.5 fg/cell in the liver. Evaluation of the transmembrane protein transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) expression levels in disaggregated cells was also conducted by using a Nd-labelled antibody against this cell surface biomarker. Quantitative results showed significantly lower expression in the disaggregated cells than in the cell model HepG2, in agreement with the overexpression of this biomarker in tumor cells. In this proof of concept study, the tissue disaggregation protocol has shown to maintain the elemental intracellular content of cells as well as the presence of relevant antigens. This opens a completely new area of research for SC-ICP-MS in tissue samples as a complementary strategy with validation capabilities.

The electrochemical oxidation of HMF (5-hydroxymethylfurfural) to DMF (2,5-furandicarboxaldehyde) catalysed by a salen-manganese homogeneous catalyst is reported. DMF is a versatile precursor in the synthesis of functional polymers, pharmaceuticals, antifungal agents, and furan-urea resins. A manganese(III)-Schiff base complex 1 was synthetized and characterized by different analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Complex 1 behaved as an efficient catalyst of the electrochemical oxidation of HMF to DMF. The conversion of HMF to DFF was performed under mild conditions. The oxidation of DFF to HMF with a conversion rate of 75% was achieved at pH 8.5, using sodium chloride as the electrolyte to increase the conductivity and to reduce the power dissipation.

An improved method that allows the robust characterization of surfaces is necessary to accurately predict the biofouling formation on construction materials of photobioreactors (PBR). Exopolymeric substances (EPS), such as proteins and polysaccharides, have been demonstrated to present a similar behavior to cells in terms of surface adhesion. In this work, these EPS were used to optimize parameters, such as EPS concentration or adsorption time, to evaluate accurately the adsorption capacity of surfaces and, with it, predict the biofouling formation in contact with microalgae cultures. Once the method was optimized, the characterization of seven commercial polymeric surfaces was submitted to different abrasive particles sizes, which modified the roughness of the samples, as well as protein and polysaccharide lawns, which were prepared and carried out in order to evaluate the characteristics of these substances. The characterization consisted of the determination of surface free energy, water adhesion tension, and critical tension determined from the measurement of the contact angle, roughness, surface zeta potential, and the EPS adhesion capacity of each material. This will be useful to understand the behavior of the surface in the function of its characteristics and the interaction with the solutions of EPS, concluding that the hydrophobic and smooth surfaces present good anti-biofouling characteristics.

The development of low-cost and eco-friendly materials for the removal of pollutants from water is one of the main modern challenges. For this purpose, molecularly imprinted polymers were prepared under optimized conditions starting from chitosan (CS), chemically or ionically modified with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) or itaconic acid (ITA), respectively. 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was used as a template, obtaining the CS_GMA and CS_ITA series. The influence of the template concentration on the MIPs’ (molecularly imprinted polymers) morphology, thermal behaviour and swelling ability, as well as on the 2,4-D removal capacity, were analyzed. The amount of the template used for the imprinting, together with the different permeability of the matrices, were the key factors driving the analyte uptake process. Despite the good performance shown by the non-imprinted CS_GMA sample, the best results were obtained when CS_GMA was imprinted with the highest amount (5%) of template (CS_GMA_5). This system was also more efficient when consecutive adsorption experiments were carried out. In addition, CS_GMA_5 had a desorption efficiency of 90–100% when a low pesticide concentration was used. These findings suggest that the presence of imprinted cavities could be useful in improving the performance of sorbent materials making CS_GMA_5 a possible candidate for 2,4-D removal.

Spatial navigation is a key aspect of human behavior and it is still not completely understood. A number of experimental approaches exist, although most of the published data in the last decades have relied on virtual maze on-screen simulation or not-completely freely moving 3D devices. Some interesting recent developments, such as circular mazes, have contributed to analyze critical aspects of freely moving human spatial navigation in real space, although dedicated protocols only allow for simple approaches. Here, we have developed both specifically designed and home-assembled hardware equipment, and a customized protocol for spatial navigation evaluation in freely moving humans in a real space circular arena. The spatial navigation protocol poses an imitation of a real-space multiple-choice path maze with cul-de-sac and instances of non-linear movement. We have compared the results of this system to those of a number of validated, both virtual and real, spatial navigation tests in a group of participants. The system composed by hardware, the test protocol, and dedicated measure analysis designed in our laboratory allows us to evaluate human spatial navigation in a complex maze with a small and portable structure, yielding a highly flexible, adaptable, and versatile access to information about the subjects’ spatial navigation abilities.

We have previously proposed a radical change in the current strategy to clear pathogenic proteins from the central nervous system (CNS) based on the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-sink therapeutic strategy, whereby pathogenic proteins can be removed directly from the CNS via CSF. To this aim, we designed and manufactured an implantable device for selective and continuous apheresis of CSF enabling, in combination with anti-amyloid-beta (Aβ) monoclonal antibodies (mAb), the clearance of Aβ from the CSF. Here, we provide the first proof of concept in the APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Devices were implanted in twenty-four mice (seventeen APP/PS1 and seven Wt) with low rates of complications. We confirmed that the apheresis module is permeable to the Aβ peptide and impermeable to mAb. Moreover, our results showed that continuous clearance of soluble Aβ from the CSF for a few weeks decreases cortical Aβ plaques. Thus, we conclude that this intervention is feasible and may provide important advantages in terms of safety and efficacy.

Pancreatic cancer has a high mortality rate due to its aggressive nature and high metastatic rate. When coupled to the difficulties in detecting this type of tumor early and the lack of effective treatments, this cancer is currently one of the most important clinical challenges in the field of oncology. Melitherapy is an innovative therapeutic approach that is based on modifying the composition and structure of cell membranes to treat different diseases, including cancers. In this context, 2-hydroxycervonic acid (HCA) is a melitherapeutic agent developed to combat pancreatic cancer cells, provoking the programmed cell death by apoptosis of these cells by inducing ER stress and triggering the production of ROS species. The efficacy of HCA was demonstrated in vivo, alone and in combination with gemcitabine, using a MIA PaCa-2 cell xenograft model of pancreatic cancer in which no apparent toxicity was evident. HCA is metabolized by α-oxidation to C21:5n-3 (heneicosapentaenoic acid), which in turn also showed anti-proliferative effect in these cells. Given the unmet clinical needs associated with pancreatic cancer, the data presented here suggest that the use of HCA merits further study as a potential therapy for this condition.

The interest in magnetic nanostructures exhibiting perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and exchange bias (EB) effect has increased in recent years owing to their applications in a new generation of spintronic devices that combine several functionalities. We present a nanofabrication process used to induce a significant out-of-plane component of the magnetic easy axis and EB. In this study, 30 nm thick CoO/Co multilayers were deposited on nanostructured alumina templates with a broad range of pore diameters, 34 nm ≤ Dp ≤ 96 nm, maintaining the hexagonal lattice parameter at 107 nm. Increase of the exchange bias field (HEB) and the coercivity (HC) (12 times and 27 times, respectively) was observed in the nanostructured films compared to the non-patterned film. The marked dependence of HEB and HC with antidot hole diameters pinpoints an in-plane to out-of-plane changeover of the magnetic anisotropy at a nanohole diameter of ∼75 nm. Micromagnetic simulation shows the existence of antiferromagnetic layers that generate an exceptional magnetic configuration around the holes, named as antivortex-state. This configuration induces extra high-energy superdomain walls for edge-to-edge distance >27 nm and high-energy stripe magnetic domains below 27 nm, which could play an important role in the change of the magnetic easy axis towards the perpendicular direction.

Two new tetradentate oxovanadium(IV) and iron(II) Schiff base complexes have been prepared by the interaction of vanadyl(IV) and iron(III) acetylacetonate with the ligand obtained from the reaction of ethylenediamine and 5′-(N-methyl-N-phenylaminomethyl)-2′-hydroxyacetophenone in methanol. These complexes have been characterized by means of different spectroscopic techniques such as UV–visible, FT-IR, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. In addition, thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermogavemetric analysis (DTG) have been utilized to investigate the thermal stability of these complexes. Results showed that both Schiff base complexes decompose in five consecutive stages, and a mechanism has been proposed for each stage of thermal decomposition. Thermogravimetric analysis has been carried out using four different heating rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 °C min−1, and the kinetic parameters of these complexes have been calculated using the Kissinger method. Cyclic voltammetry has been employed to examine the electrochemical behavior of the two synthesized complexes in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at a glassy carbon electrode. Each of these complexes displayed one quasi-reversible single electron transfer peak near 0.255 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE) for the V(V)–V(IV) couple and near −0.690 V vs. SCE for the Fe(III)–Fe(II) redox couples, respectively. Finally, the antioxidant activity of the newly prepared complexes has been investigated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyle (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. Results revealed that the oxovanadium Schiff base complex exhibits good antioxidant activity.

The influence of the reaction pathway of the sacrificial molecule oxidation to generate hydrogen is here investigated for lean and rich methanol reaction mixtures. Pt-TiO2 powders promoted or not with tin sulfide were used as catalysts. With the help of in situ infrared experiments under reaction conditions, methanol evolution was shown to take place by hole-related oxidation steps, with alkoxy and carbon-centered species as key radical species. The study analyzed quantitatively the fate and chemical use of the photons absorbed by the solids with the help of the quantum efficiency and the useful fraction of photons observables. Within this framework, the role of the sulfide component to promote photoactivity is interpreted, braiding chemical and photonic information.

Streptomyces DNA replication starts with the DnaA binding to the origin of replication. Differently to most bacteria, cytokinesis only occurs during sporulation. Cytokinesis is modulated by the divisome, an orderly succession of proteins initiated by FtsZ. Here, we characterised SCO2102, a protein harbouring a DnaA II protein–protein interaction domain highly conserved in Streptomyces. The ΔSCO2102 knockout shows highly delayed sporulation. SCO2102-mCherry frequently co-localises with FtsZ-eGFP during sporulation and greatly reduces FtsZ-eGFP Z-ladder formation, suggesting a role of SCO2102 in sporulation. SCO2102 localises up-stream of SCO2103, a methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase involved in methionine and dTMP synthesis. SCO2102/SCO2103 expression is highly regulated, involving two promoters and a conditional transcription terminator. The ΔSCO2103 knockout shows reduced DNA synthesis and a non-sporulating phenotype. SCO2102-mCherry co-localises with SCO2103-eGFP during sporulation, and SCO2102 is essential for the SCO2103 positioning at sporulating hyphae, since SCO2103-eGFP fluorescent spots are absent in the ΔSCO2102 knockout. We propose a model in which SCO2102 positions SCO2103 in sporulating hyphae, facilitating nucleotide biosynthesis for chromosomal replication. To the best of our knowledge, SCO2102 is the first protein harbouring a DnaA II domain specifically found during sporulation, whereas SCO2103 is the first methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase found to be essential for Streptomyces sporulation.

In this paper, the utilization of common fabrics for the manufacturing of e-textile metamaterial is investigated. The proposed design is based on a transmission line loaded with split-ring resonators (SRRs) on a cotton substrate for filter signal application. The proposed design provides a stop band between 2.7 GHz and 4.7 GHz, considering a four stage SRR topology. Experimental results showed stop band levels higher than −30 dB for the proposed compact embroidered metamaterial e-textiles. The validated results confirmed embroidery as a useful technique to obtain customized electromagnetic filter properties, such as transmitted signal filtering and control, on wearable tech device applications.

Streptomycetes are important biotechnological bacteria that produce several clinically bioactive compounds. They have a complex development, including hyphae differentiation and sporulation. Cytosolic copper is a well-known modulator of differentiation and secondary metabolism. The interruption of the Streptomyces coelicolor SCO2730 (copper chaperone, SCO2730::Tn5062 mutant) blocks SCO2730 and reduces SCO2731 (P-type ATPase copper export) expressions, decreasing copper export and increasing cytosolic copper. This mutation triggers the expression of 13 secondary metabolite clusters, including cryptic pathways, during the whole developmental cycle, skipping the vegetative, non-productive stage. As a proof of concept, here, we tested whether the knockdown of the SCO2730/31 orthologue expression can enhance secondary metabolism in streptomycetes. We created a SCO2730/31 consensus antisense mRNA from the sequences of seven key streptomycetes, which helped to increase the cytosolic copper in S. coelicolor, albeit to a lower level than in the SCO2730::Tn5062 mutant. This antisense mRNA affected the production of at least six secondary metabolites (CDA, 2-methylisoborneol, undecylprodigiosin, tetrahydroxynaphtalene, α-actinorhodin, ε-actinorhodin) in the S. coelicolor, and five (phenanthroviridin, alkylresorcinol, chloramphenicol, pikromycin, jadomycin G) in the S. venezuelae; it also helped to alter the S. albus metabolome. The SCO2730/31 consensus antisense mRNA designed here constitutes a tool for the knockdown of SCO2730/31 expression and for the enhancement of Streptomyces’ secondary metabolism.

Mesoporous silica nanomaterials have emerged as promising vehicles in controlled drug delivery systems due to their ability to selectively transport, protect, and release pharmaceuticals in a controlled and sustained manner. One drawback of these drug delivery systems is their preparation procedure that usually requires several steps including the removal of the structure-directing agent (surfactant) and the later loading of the drug into the porous structure. Herein, we describe the preparation of mesoporous silica nanoparticles, as drug delivery systems from structure-directing agents based on the kidney-protector drug cilastatin in a simple, fast, and one-step process. The concept of drug-structure-directing agent (DSDA) allows the use of lipidic derivatives of cilastatin to direct the successful formation of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). The inherent pharmacological activity of the surfactant DSDA cilastatin-based template permits that the MSNs can be directly employed as drug delivery nanocarriers, without the need of extra steps. MSNs thus synthesized have shown good sphericity and remarkable textural properties. The size of the nanoparticles can be adjusted by simply selecting the stirring speed, time, and aging temperature during the synthesis procedure. Moreover, the release experiments performed on these materials afforded a slow and sustained drug release over several days, which illustrates the MSNs potential utility as drug delivery system for the cilastatin cargo kidney protector. While most nanotechnology strategies focused on combating the different illnesses this methodology emphasizes on reducing the kidney toxicity associated to cancer chemotherapy.

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [1]:The author name “Gemma Fernánez-García” should be “Gemma Fernández-García” [...]

The preparation of hybrid polymeric systems based on carbon derivatives with a cationic polymer is described. The polymer used is a copolymer of a quaternizable methacrylic monomer with another dopamine-based monomer capable of anchoring to carbon compounds. Graphene oxide and graphene as well as hybrid polymeric systems were widely characterized by infrared, Raman and photoemission X-ray spectroscopies, electron scanning microscopy, zeta potential and thermal degradation. These allowed confirming the attachment of copolymer onto carbonaceous materials. Besides, the antimicrobial activity of hybrid polymeric systems was tested against Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis and Gram negative Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. The results showed the antibacterial character of these hybrid systems.

To use shape memory materials based on poly (lactic acid) (PLA) for medical applications is essential to tune their transition temperature (Ttrans) near to the human body temperature. In this study, the combination of lactic acid oligomer (OLA), acting as a plasticizer, together with chitosan-mediated silver nanoparticles (AgCH-NPs) to create PLA matrices is studied to obtain functional shape memory polymers for potential medical applications. PLA/OLA nanocomposites containing different amounts of AgCH-NPs were obtained and profusely characterized relating their structure with their antimicrobial and shape memory performances. Nanocomposites exhibited shape memory responses at the temperature of interest (near physiological one), as well as excellent shape memory responses, shorter recovery times and higher recovery ratios (over 100%) when compared to neat materials. Moreover, antibacterial activity tests confirmed biocidal activity; therefore, these functional polymer nanocomposites with shape memory, degradability and biocidal activity show great potential for soft actuation applications in the medical field.

The cell membrane contains a variety of receptors that interact with signaling molecules. However, agonist–receptor interactions not always activate a signaling cascade. Amphitropic membrane proteins are required for signal propagation upon ligand-induced receptor activation. These proteins localize to the plasma membrane or internal compartments; however, they are only activated by ligand-receptor complexes when both come into physical contact in membranes. These interactions enable signal propagation. Thus, signals may not propagate into the cell if peripheral proteins do not co-localize with receptors even in the presence of messengers. As the translocation of an amphitropic protein greatly depends on the membrane’s lipid composition, regulation of the lipid bilayer emerges as a novel therapeutic strategy. Some of the signals controlled by proteins non-permanently bound to membranes produce dramatic changes in the cell’s physiology. Indeed, changes in membrane lipids induce translocation of dozens of peripheral signaling proteins from or to the plasma membrane, which controls how cells behave. We called these changes “lipid switches”, as they alter the cell’s status (e.g., proliferation, differentiation, death, etc.) in response to the modulation of membrane lipids. Indeed, this discovery enables therapeutic interventions that modify the bilayer’s lipids, an approach known as membrane-lipid therapy (MLT) or melitherapy.

Nanocomposites obtained from the incorporation of synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles (≈10 nm average primary particle size) in different amounts, ranging from 0.5 to 5 wt.%, into a biodegradable polycaprolactone matrix are achieved via a straightforward and commercial melting processing. The resulting nanocomposites have been structurally and thermally characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), wide/small angle X-ray diffraction (WAXS/SAXS, respectively) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). TEM evaluation provides evidence of an excellent nanometric dispersion of the oxide component in the polymeric matrix, with aggregates having an average size well below 100 nm. Presence of these TiO2 nanoparticles induces a nucleant effect during polymer crystallization. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of nanocomposites has been tested using both UV and visible light against Gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. The bactericidal behavior has been explained through the analysis of the material optical properties, with a key role played by the creation of new electronic states within the polymer-based nanocomposites.

The condensation of 3-methoxy-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and the diamines 1,2-diphenylendiamine, 1,2-diamine-2-methylpropane and 1,3-propanediamine yielded the dianionic tetradentate Schiff base ligands N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzylidene)-1,2-diphenylendiimine (H2L1), N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzylidene)-1,2-diamino-2-methylpropane (H2L2) and N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzylidene)-1,3-diaminopropane (H2L3) respectively. The organic compounds H2L1 and H2L2 have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies and mass spectrometry electrospray (ES). The crystal structure of H2L2 in solid state, solved by X-ray crystallography, is highly conditioned in the solid state by two N-H•••N intramolecular interactions. The synthesis of three new manganese(III) complexes 1–3, incorporating these ligands, H2L1–H2L3, and dicyanamide (DCA), is reported. The complexes 1–3 have been physicochemically characterized by elemental analysis, IR and paramagnetic 1H NMR spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry, magnetic moment at room temperature and conductivity measurements. Complex 1 has been crystallographically characterized. The X-ray structure shows the self-assembly of the Mn(III)-Schiff base-DCA complex through µ-aquo bridges between neighbouring axial water molecules and also by π-π stacking interactions, establishing a dimeric structure. The manganese complexes were also tested as peroxidase mimics for the H2O2-mediated reaction with the water-soluble trap ABTS, showing complexes 1-2 relevant peroxidase activity in contrast with 3. The rhombicity around the metal ion can explain this catalytic behaviour.

Biodegradable polymers are promising materials for use in medical applications such as stents. Their properties are comparable to commercially available resistant metal and polymeric stents, which have several major problems, such as stent migration and stent clogging due to microbial biofilm. Consequently, conventional stents have to be removed operatively from the patient’s body, which presents a number of complications and can also endanger the patient’s life. Biodegradable stents disintegrate into basic substances that decompose in the human body, and no surgery is required. This review focuses on the specific use of stents in the human body, the problems of microbial biofilm, and possibilities of preventing microbial growth by modifying polymers with antimicrobial agents.

Lignin and other colored structures need to be bleached after the Kraft process in the pulp industry. Development of environmentally-safe bleaching catalysts or electrocatalysts constitutes an attractive strategy for selective removal of lignin. Seven manganese(III)-complexes with Schiff base ligands 1−7 were synthetized and characterized by different analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The tetragonally elongated octahedral geometry for the manganese coordination sphere and the global µ-aquo dimeric structure were revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies for 1, Mn2L12(H2O)2(N(CN)2)2 (N(CN)2 = dicyanamide). Complexes 1−4 behave as more efficient peroxidase mimics as compared to 5−7. Electrochemical oxidation of the lignin model veratrylalcohol (VA) to veratrylaldehyde (VAH) is efficiently catalyzed by a type of dimanganese(III) complexes in a chlorine-free medium. The electrocatalytic reaction proceeds through the oxidation of chloride into hypochlorite at alkaline pH along with the formation of hydrogen from water as a subproduct.

Antimicrobial polymers and coatings are potent types of materials for fighting microbial infections, and as such, they have attracted increased attention in many fields. Here, a series of antimicrobial copolymers were prepared by radical copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), which is widely employed in the manufacturing of biomedical devices, and the monomer 2-(4-methylthiazol-5-yl)ethyl methacrylate (MTA), which bears thiazole side groups susceptible to quaternization, to provide a positive charge. The copolymers were further quantitatively quaternized with either methyl or butyl iodide, as demonstrated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Then, the polycations were characterized by zeta potential measurements to evaluate their effective charge and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to evaluate their thermal properties. The ζ-potential study revealed that the quaternized copolymers with intermediate compositions present higher charges than the corresponding homopolymers. The cationic copolymers showed greater glass transition temperatures than poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), with values higher than 100 °C, in particular those quaternized with methyl iodide. The TGA studies showed that the thermal stability of polycations varies with the composition, improving as the content of HEMA in the copolymer increases. Microbial assays targeting Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria confirmed that the incorporation of a low number of cationic units into PHEMA provides antimicrobial character with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 128 µg mL−1. Remarkably, copolymers with MTA molar fractions higher than 0.50 exhibited MIC values as low as 8 µg mL−1.

This article reviews work done at authors’ laboratories about catalysts based on combinations between copper and ceria for preferential oxidation of CO in H2-rich streams (CO-PROX). The main focus of this review is the characterization of active sites for the process on the basis of spectroscopic analysis of the systems under reaction conditions (operando techniques). On such a basis, it is exposed the state of the art in this field in connection with results obtained in other laboratories.

Kraft pulp has to be bleached to eliminate the chromophoric structures, which cause a darkening of the pulp. In Nature, an equivalent role is assumed by ligninolytic enzymes such as lignin peroxidases, manganese peroxidases and laccases. The development of low molecular weight manganese peroxidase mimics may achieve environmentally-safe bleaching catalysts for the industry. Herein we report the synthesis and characterization of six manganese(III) complexes 1–6, incorporating dianionic hexadentate Schiff base ligands (H2L1-H2L4) and different anions. Complex 4, Mn2L22(H2O)2(DCA)2 was crystallographically characterized. Complexes 1–4 behave as more efficient mimics of peroxidase in contrast to 5–6. We have studied the use of these complexes as catalysts for the degradation of the lignin model compound veratryl alcohol. The biomimetic catalysts were used in conjunction with chlorine-free inexpensive co-oxidants as dioxygen or hydrogen peroxide. Yields up to 30% of veratryl alcohol conversion to veratraldehyde have been achieved at room temperature in presence of air flow using 0.5% of catalyst.