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1.
Icephobic Coating Based on Novel SLIPS Made of Infused PTFE Fibers for Aerospace Application.
Vicente, A, Rivero, PJ, Rehfeld, N, Stake, A, García, P, Carreño, F, Mora, J, Rodríguez, R
Polymers. 2024;(5)
Abstract
The development of slippery surfaces has been widely investigated due to their excellent icephobic properties. A distinct kind of an ice-repellent structure known as a slippery liquid-infused porous surface (SLIPS) has recently drawn attention due to its simplicity and efficacy as a passive ice-protection method. These surfaces are well known for exhibiting very low ice adhesion values (τice < 20 kPa). In this study, pure Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fibers were fabricated using the electrospinning process to produce superhydrophobic (SHS) porous coatings on samples of the aeronautical alloy AA6061-T6. Due to the high fluorine-carbon bond strength, PTFE shows high resistance and chemical inertness to almost all corrosive reagents as well as extreme hydrophobicity and high thermal stability. However, these unique properties make PTFE difficult to process. For this reason, to develop PTFE fibers, the electrospinning technique has been used by an PTFE nanoparticles (nP PTFE) dispersion with addition of a very small amount of polyethylene oxide (PEO) followed with a sintering process (380 °C for 10 min) to melt the nP PTFE together and form uniform fibers. Once the porous matrix of PTFE fibers is attached, lubricating oil is added into the micro/nanoscale structure in the SHS in place of air to create a SLIPS. The experimental results show a high-water contact angle (WCA) ≈ 150° and low roll-off angle (αroll-off) ≈ 22° for SHS porous coating and a decrease in the WCA ≈ 100° and a very low αroll-off ≈ 15° for SLIPS coating. On one hand, ice adhesion centrifuge tests were conducted for two types of icing conditions (glaze and rime) accreted in an ice wind tunnel (IWT), as well as static ice at different ice adhesion centrifuge test facilities in order to compare the results for SHS, SLIPs and reference materials. This is considered a preliminary step in standardization efforts where similar performance are obtained. On the other hand, the ice adhesion results show 65 kPa in the case of SHS and 4.2 kPa of SLIPS for static ice and <10 kPa for rime and glace ice. These results imply a significant improvement in this type of coatings due to the combined effect of fibers PTFE and silicon oil lubricant.
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2.
Short-term complications and post-acute sequelae in hospitalized paediatric patients with COVID-19 and obesity: A multicenter cohort study.
Valenzuela, G, Alarcón-Andrade, G, Schulze-Schiapacasse, C, Rodríguez, R, García-Salum, T, Pardo-Roa, C, Levican, J, Serrano, E, Avendaño, MJ, Gutiérrez, M, et al
Pediatric obesity. 2023;(2):e12980
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity increases the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 illness in adults. The role of obesity in short-term complications and post-acute sequelae in children is not well defined. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between obesity and short-term complications and post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized paediatric patients. METHODS An observational study was conducted in three tertiary hospitals, including paediatric hospitalized patients with a confirmatory SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR from March 2020 to December 2021. Obesity was defined according to WHO 2006 (0-2 years) and CDC 2000 (2-20 years) growth references. Short-term outcomes were intensive care unit admission, ventilatory support, superinfections, acute kidney injury, and mortality. Neurological, respiratory, and cardiological symptoms and/or delayed or long-term complications beyond 4 weeks from the onset of symptoms were considered as post-acute sequalae. Adjusted linear, logistic regression and generalized estimating equations models were performed. RESULTS A total of 216 individuals were included, and 67 (31.02%) of them had obesity. Obesity was associated with intensive care unit admission (aOR = 5.63, CI95% 2.90-10.94), oxygen requirement (aOR = 2.77, CI95% 1.36-5.63), non-invasive ventilatory support (aOR = 6.81, CI95% 2.11-22.04), overall superinfections (aOR = 3.02 CI95% 1.45-6.31), and suspected bacterial pneumonia (aOR = 3.00 CI95% 1.44-6.23). For post-acute sequalae, obesity was associated with dyspnea (aOR = 9.91 CI95% 1.92-51.10) and muscle weakness (aOR = 20.04 CI95% 2.50-160.65). CONCLUSIONS In paediatric hospitalized patients with COVID-19, severe short-term outcomes and post-acute sequelae are associated with obesity. Recognizing obesity as a key comorbidity is essential to develop targeted strategies for prevention of COVID-19 complications in children.
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Challenges and opportunities of the bio-pesticides production by solid-state fermentation: filamentous fungi as a model.
De la Cruz Quiroz, R, Roussos, S, Hernández, D, Rodríguez, R, Castillo, F, Aguilar, CN
Critical reviews in biotechnology. 2015;(3):326-33
Abstract
In recent years, production and use of bio-pesticides have increasing and replacing some synthetic chemical pesticides applied to food commodities. In this review, biological control is focused as an alternative, to some synthetic chemical treatments that cause environmental, human health, and food quality risks. In addition, several phytopathogenic microorganisms have developed resistance to some of these synthetic chemicals and become more difficult to control. Worldwide, the bio-pesticides market is growing annually at a rate of 44% in North America, 20% in Europe and Oceania, 10% in Latin and South American countries and 6% in Asia. Use of agro-industrial wastes and solid-state fermentation (SSF) technology offers an alternative to bio-pesticide production with advantages versus conventional submerged fermentations, as reduced cost and energy consumption, low production of residual water and high stability products. In this review, recent data about state of art regarding bio-pesticides production under SSF on agroindustrial wastes will be discussed. SSF can be defined as a microbial process that generally occurs on solid material in the absence of free water. This material has the ability to absorb water with or without soluble nutrients, since the substrate must have water to support the microorganism's growth and metabolism. Changes in water content are analyzed in order to select the conditions for a future process, where water stress can be combined with the best spore production conditions, obtaining in this way an inexpensive biotechnological option for modern agriculture in developing countries.
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Amaranthaceae pollens: review of an emerging allergy in the mediterranean area.
Villalba, M, Barderas, R, Mas, S, Colás, C, Batanero, E, Rodríguez, R
Journal of investigational allergology & clinical immunology. 2014;(6):371-81; quiz 2 p preceding 382
Abstract
The Amaranthaceae family is composed of about 180 genera and 2500 species. These common weeds have become increasingly relevant as triggers of allergy in the last few years, as they are able to rapidly colonize salty and arid soils in extensive desert areas. The genera Chenopodium, Salsola, and Amaranthus are the major sources of pollinosis from the Amaranthaceae family in southern Europe, western United States, and semidesert areas of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iran. In Spain, Salsola kali is one of the most relevant causes of pollinosis, together with olive and grasses. To date, 9Amaranthaceae pollen allergens from Chenopodium album, Salsola kali, and Amaranthus retroflexus have been described and are listed in the International Union of Immunological Societies allergen nomenclature database.The major allergens ofAmaranthaceae pollen belong to the pectin methylesterase, Ole e 1-like, and profilin panallergen families, whereas the minor allergens belong to the cobalamin- independent methionine synthase and polcalcin panallergen families. These relevant allergens have been characterized physicochemically, and immunologically at different levels. Recombinant forms, allergenic fusion recombinant proteins, and hypoallergenic derivatives of these allergens have been expressed in bacteria and yeast and compared with their natural proteins from pollen. In this review, we provide an extensive overview ofAmaranthaceae pollen allergens, focusing on their physicochemical, and immunological properties and on their clinical significance in allergic patients. We also review studies where these recombinant allergens and their hypoallergenic derivatives have been used in clinical diagnosis and their potential use in personalized therapy.
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Moderate-vigorous physical activity across body mass index in females: moderating effect of endocannabinoids and temperament.
Fernández-Aranda, F, Sauchelli, S, Pastor, A, Gonzalez, ML, de la Torre, R, Granero, R, Jiménez-Murcia, S, Baños, R, Botella, C, Fernández-Real, JM, et al
PloS one. 2014;(8):e104534
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endocannabinoids and temperament traits have been linked to both physical activity and body mass index (BMI) however no study has explored how these factors interact in females. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to 1) examine differences among distinct BMI groups on daytime physical activity and time spent in moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), temperament traits and plasma endocannabinoid concentrations; and 2) explore the association and interaction between MVPA, temperament, endocannabinoids and BMI. METHODS Physical activity was measured with the wrist-worn accelerometer Actiwatch AW7, in a sample of 189 female participants (43 morbid obese, 30 obese, and 116 healthy-weight controls). The Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised questionnaire was used to assess personality traits. BMI was calculated by bioelectrical impedance analysis via the TANITA digital scale. Blood analyses were conducted to measure levels of endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid-related compounds. Path-analysis was performed to examine the association between predictive variables and MVPA. RESULTS Obese groups showed lower MVPA and dysfunctional temperament traits compared to healthy-weight controls. Plasma concentrations of 2-arachidonoylglyceryl (2-AG) were greater in obese groups. Path-analysis identified a direct effect between greater MVPA and low BMI (b = -0.13, p = .039) and high MVPA levels were associated with elevated anandamide (AEA) levels (b = 0.16, p = .049) and N-oleylethanolamide (OEA) levels (b = 0.22, p = .004), as well as high Novelty seeking (b = 0.18, p<.001) and low Harm avoidance (b = -0.16, p<.001). CONCLUSIONS Obese individuals showed a distinct temperament profile and circulating endocannabinoids compared to controls. Temperament and endocannabinoids may act as moderators of the low MVPA in obesity.
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Molecular modeling study of dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors. Molecular dynamics simulations, quantum mechanical calculations, and experimental corroboration.
Tosso, RD, Andujar, SA, Gutierrez, L, Angelina, E, Rodríguez, R, Nogueras, M, Baldoni, H, Suvire, FD, Cobo, J, Enriz, RD
Journal of chemical information and modeling. 2013;(8):2018-32
Abstract
A molecular modeling study on dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitors was carried out. By combining molecular dynamics simulations with semiempirical (PM6), ab initio, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, a simple and generally applicable procedure to evaluate the binding energies of DHFR inhibitors interacting with the human enzyme is reported here, providing a clear picture of the binding interactions of these ligands from both structural and energetic viewpoints. A reduced model for the binding pocket was used. This approach allows us to perform more accurate quantum mechanical calculations as well as to obtain a detailed electronic analysis using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) technique. Thus, molecular aspects of the binding interactions between inhibitors and the DHFR are discussed in detail. A significant correlation between binding energies obtained from DFT calculations and experimental IC₅₀ values was obtained, predicting with an acceptable qualitative accuracy the potential inhibitor effect of nonsynthesized compounds. Such correlation was experimentally corroborated synthesizing and testing two new inhibitors reported in this paper.
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Microbial tannases: advances and perspectives.
Aguilar, CN, Rodríguez, R, Gutiérrez-Sánchez, G, Augur, C, Favela-Torres, E, Prado-Barragan, LA, Ramírez-Coronel, A, Contreras-Esquivel, JC
Applied microbiology and biotechnology. 2007;(1):47-59
Abstract
In the last years, tannase has been the subject of a lot of studies due to its commercial importance and complexity as catalytic molecule. Tannases are capable of hydrolyzing complex tannins, which represent the main chemical group of natural anti-microbials occurring in the plants. The general outline of this work includes information of the substrates, the enzyme, and the applications. This review considers in its introduction the concepts and history of tannase and explores scientific and technological aspects. The "advances" trace the route from the general, molecular, catalytic, and functional information obtained under close to optimal conditions for microbial production through purification, description of the enzyme properties, and the commercial applications to the "perspectives" including expression studies, regulation, and potential uses; aspects related to the progress in our understanding of tannin biodegradation are also included.
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Modelling diseases: the allergens of Olea europaea pollen.
Quiralte, J, Palacios, L, Rodríguez, R, Cárdaba, B, Arias de Saavedra, JM, Villalba, M, Florido, JF, Lahoz, C
Journal of investigational allergology & clinical immunology. 2007;:24-30
Abstract
This study analyzes the influence of the IgE response to certain olive pollen allergens in the modulation of the different clinical phenotypes of allergic disease and their relationship with the level of exposure to pollen and genetic factors. Patients from high-exposure areas had a complex IgE antibody response to allergens of Olea euroapea, which included 3 or more allergens in 75% of cases. The majority allergens were Ole e 1, Ole e 2 (profilin), Ole e 7 (lipid transporting protein), Ole e 9 (glucanase), and Ole e 10. The existence of the antigen HLA-DR2 (15) led to a higher risk of sensitization to Ole e 10 and a greater trend towards the development of severe asthma, which increased in the presence of an anti-profilin IgE. Thirty percent of patients suffering from pollinosis simultaneously presented allergy to vegetable foods. Anti-Ole e 7 IgE was significantly associated with fruit anaphylaxis and anti-profilin IgE was detected in 90% of patients with oral syndrome. Finally, we analyzed the role of glucanase and Ole e 10 as causes of the pollen-latex-fruit syndrome.
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[Postoperative analgesia in cardiac surgery: spinal versus intravenous morphine].
Tamayo, E, Soria, S, Martínez-Martínez, A, Martínez-Escribano, A, Rodríguez, R, Muñoz, F, Olmedo, P, Ruiz de Temiño, F, Lajo, C, Castrodeza, J
Revista espanola de anestesiologia y reanimacion. 2006;(3):145-51
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of spinal and intravenous administration of morphine to supplement anesthesia with remifentanil in terms of analgesia during early postoperative recovery and considering time until extubation. MATERIAL AND METHODS This prospective, randomized, blinded trial enrolled 59 patients scheduled for cardiac surgery. The patients were assigned to receive either a spinal infusion of morphine (15 microg x Kg(-1)) or an intravenous infusion (0.3 mg x Kg(-1)). Anesthesia was maintained with 0.15 to 0.50 microg x Kg(-1) x min(-1) of remifentanil and 2 to 4 mg x Kg(-1) x h(-1) of propofol in perfusion. After the period of extracorporeal circulation, all patients were given an intravenous infusion of 30 mg of ketorolac. Later intravenous ketorolac was ministered at a dose of 30 mg per 8 hours; intravenous morphine (bolus dose of 3 mg) was also administered until pain was relieved. RESULTS The same quality of postoperative analgesia and anesthetic recovery was achieved with both spinal and intravenous administration. The incidence of side effects was also similar. Likewise, the extubation times were similar in the 2 groups (spinal infusion group: 294.5 [SD, 150.5] minutes; intravenous group: 325.0 [139.9] minutes; P>0.05). Less postoperative intravenous morphine was administered in the first 24 hours to patients in the spinal morphine group (P<0.05) and fewer patients in that group required intravenous morphine boluses (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that spinal morphine does not offer advantages over intravenous morphine with regard to postoperative analgesia, hemodynamic stability and respiratory parameters, time until extubation, or adverse effects.
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Early hepatitis C virus changes and sustained response in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with peginterferon alpha-2b and ribavirin.
Gallegos-Orozco, JF, Loaeza-del Castillo, A, Fuentes, AP, García-Sandoval, M, Soto, L, Rodríguez, R, Gutiérrez-Ruíz, MC, Gutiérrez-Reyes, G, Bonder, A, Olivera, MA, et al
Liver international : official journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver. 2005;(1):91-5
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interferon-based therapy induces changes in viral dynamics in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. AIMS The aim of this study was to assess early hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA changes and evaluate its predictive value to achieve sustained viral response (SVR) in patients with CHC treated with peginterferon alpha-2b weekly plus ribavirin daily for 48 weeks. METHODS HCV-RNA was measured at baseline, 48 h, 4, 12, 24 and 48 weeks of treatment and 24 weeks after treatment. RESULTS Eighteen HCV genotype 1 patients were included (13 male, five female) with a mean age of 44.4+/-11.9 years. Nine patients achieved SVR (50%). Viral decline occurred as early as 48 h; the magnitude of decline was statistically different between both groups (P<0.01). Responders had a > or =1 log(10) drop in HCV-RNA at 48 h (positive predictive value (PPV) of 89% to achieve SVR) that persisted at week 4. By week 12, serum HCV-RNA was undetectable (PPV 100%). CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that peginterferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin treatment produces significant changes in HCV dynamics that can be detected as early as 48 h after the first dose of peginterferon alpha-2b and that these changes are useful in predicting response to therapy in CHC patients.