Browsing by Keyword "Biotechnology"
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Item 3D additive manufactured composite scaffolds with antibiotic-loaded lamellar fillers for bone infection prevention and tissue regeneration(2021-04) Cámara-Torres, María; Duarte, Stacy; Sinha, Ravi; Egizabal, Ainhoa; Álvarez, Noelia; Bastianini, Maria; Sisani, Michele; Scopece, Paolo; Scatto, Marco; Bonetto, Alessandro; Marcomini, Antonio; Sanchez, Alberto; Patelli, Alessandro; Mota, Carlos; Moroni, Lorenzo; Biomateriales; ECOEFICIENCIA DE PRODUCTOS DE CONSTRUCCIÓNBone infections following open bone fracture or implant surgery remain a challenge in the orthopedics field. In order to avoid high doses of systemic drug administration, optimized local antibiotic release from scaffolds is required. 3D additive manufactured (AM) scaffolds made with biodegradable polymers are ideal to support bone healing in non-union scenarios and can be given antimicrobial properties by the incorporation of antibiotics. In this study, ciprofloxacin and gentamicin intercalated in the interlamellar spaces of magnesium aluminum layered double hydroxides (MgAl) and α-zirconium phosphates (ZrP), respectively, are dispersed within a thermoplastic polymer by melt compounding and subsequently processed via high temperature melt extrusion AM (~190 °C) into 3D scaffolds. The inorganic fillers enable a sustained antibiotics release through the polymer matrix, controlled by antibiotics counterions exchange or pH conditions. Importantly, both antibiotics retain their functionality after the manufacturing process at high temperatures, as verified by their activity against both Gram + and Gram - bacterial strains. Moreover, scaffolds loaded with filler-antibiotic do not impair human mesenchymal stromal cells osteogenic differentiation, allowing matrix mineralization and the expression of relevant osteogenic markers. Overall, these results suggest the possibility of fabricating dual functionality 3D scaffolds via high temperature melt extrusion for bone regeneration and infection prevention.Item ASINA Project: Towards a Methodological Data-Driven Sustainable and Safe-by-Design Approach for the Development of Nanomaterials: Towards a Methodological Data-Driven Sustainable and Safe-by-Design Approach for the Development of Nanomaterials(2022-01-28) Furxhi, Irini; Perucca, Massimo; Blosi, Magda; Lopez de Ipiña, Jesús; Oliveira, Juliana; Murphy, Finbarr; Costa, Anna Luisa; SMART_MONThe novel chemical strategy for sustainability calls for a Sustainable and Safe-by-Design (SSbD) holistic approach to achieve protection of public health and the environment, industrial relevance, societal empowerment, and regulatory preparedness. Based on it, the ASINA project expands a data-driven Management Methodology (ASINA-SMM) capturing quality, safety, and sustainability criteria across the Nano-Enabled Products’ (NEPs) life cycle. We base the development of this methodology through value chains of highly representative classes of NEPs in the market, namely, (i) self-cleaning/air-purifying/antimicrobial coatings and (ii) nano-structured capsules delivering active phases in cosmetics. These NEPs improve environmental quality and human health/wellness and have innovative competence to industrial sectors such as healthcare, textiles, cosmetics, and medical devices. The purpose of this article is to visually exhibit and explain the ASINA approach, which allows identifying, combining, and addressing the following pillars: environmental impact, techno-economic performance, functionality, and human and environmental safety when developing novel NEPs, at an early stage. A metamodel supports the above by utilizing quality data collected throughout the NEPs’ life cycle, for maximization of functionality (to meet stakeholders needs) and nano-safety (regulatory obligations) and for the minimization of costs (to meet business requirements) and environmental impacts (to achieve sustainability). Furthermore, ASINA explores digitalization opportunities (digital twins) to speed the nano-industry translation into automatic progress towards economic, social, environmental, and governance sustainability.Item Efficient P(3HB) extraction from Burkholderia sacchari cells using non-chlorinated solvents(2015-11-15) Rosengart, A.; Cesário, M.T.; de Almeida, M. Catarina M.D.; Raposo, Rodrigo S.; Espert, A.; Díaz de Apodaca, E.; da Fonseca, M. Manuela R.; Alimentación SostenibleA technique using safer, non-chlorinated organic solvents for the extraction of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P(3HB)) from bacterial cells was developed, aiming to attain high recovery yields and purities. Some solvents were selected from the GlaxoSmithKline guide as sustainable industrial solvents and the solubility of P(3HB) calculated using predictive equations from literature. Based on the calculated solubility values, anisole, cyclohexanone and phenetole were tested as extraction solvents and the relevant process variables (extraction temperature, extraction time and mass of cells/solvent volume ratio) were addressed. Polymer recovery yields of 97% and 93% were obtained with anisole and cyclohexanone, respectively, at 120–130 °C using a cell/solvent ratio of 1.5% (w/v). Maximum polymer purities using these experimental conditions were 98% for both solvents. The recovery yield and the polymer purity attained with chloroform (reference solvent) were 96 and 98%, respectively. Higher cell/solvent ratios of 6.0% (w/v) showed slightly lower recovery yields and purities. The average molecular weight and the thermal properties of the polymers extracted with the alternative solvents were fully comparable to those of the polymers obtained by chloroform extraction, demonstrating that the applied conditions did not significantly alter the properties of the extracted P(3HB).Item Optimization of Semiautomated Calibration Algorithm of Multichannel Electrotactile Feedback for Myoelectric Hand Prosthesis(2019) Isaković, Milica; Malešević, Jovana; Keller, Thierry; Kostić, Miloš; Štrbac, Matija; Isakovic, Milica; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; SGThe main drawback of the commercially available myoelectric hand prostheses is the absence of somatosensory feedback. We recently developed a feedback interface for multiple degrees of freedom myoelectric prosthesis that allows proprioceptive and sensory information (i.e., grasping force) to be transmitted to the wearer instantaneously. High information bandwidth is achieved through intelligent control of spatiotemporal distribution of electrical pulses over a custom-designed electrode array. As electrotactile sensations are location-dependent and the developed interface requires that electrical stimuli are perceived to be of the same intensity on all locations, a calibration procedure is of high importance. The aim of this study was to gain more insight into the calibration procedure and optimize this process by leveraging a priori knowledge. For this purpose, we conducted a study with 9 able-bodied subjects performing 10 sessions of the array electrode calibration. Based on the collected data, we optimized and simplified the calibration procedure by adapting the initial (baseline) amplitude values in the calibration algorithm. The results suggest there is an individual pattern of stimulation amplitudes across 16 electrode pads for each subject, which is not affected by the initial amplitudes. Moreover, the number of user actions performed and the time needed for the calibration procedure are significantly reduced by the proposed methodology.Item Specific bioanalytical optical and photoelectrochemical assays for detection of methanol in alcoholic beverages(2018-03-15) Barroso, Javier; Díez-Buitrago, Beatriz; Saa, Laura; Möller, Marco; Briz, Nerea; Pavlov, Valeri; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; SGMethanol is a poison which is frequently discovered in alcoholic beverages. Innovative methods to detect methanol in alcoholic beverages are being constantly developed. We report for the first time a new strategy for the detection of methanol using fluorescence spectroscopy and photoelectrochemical (PEC) analysis. The analytical system is based on the oxidation of cysteine (CSH) with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) enzymatically generated by alcohol oxidase (AOx). H2O2 oxidizes capping agent CSH, modulating the growth of CSH-stabilized cadmium sulphide quantum dots (CdS QDs). Disposable screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) modified with a conductive osmium polymer (Os-PVP) complex were employed to quantify resulting CdS QDs. This polymer facilitates the “wiring” of in situ enzymatically generated CdS QDs, which photocatalyze oxidation of 1-thioglycerol (TG), generating photocurrent as the readout signal. Likewise, we proved that our systems did not suffer from interference by ethanol. The PEC assays showed better sensitivity than conventional methods, covering a wide range of potential applications for methanol quantification.