Revistas
Autores:
Kiio, L. K. (Autor de correspondencia); Onyatta, J. O.; Ndangili, P. M.; et al.
Revista:
TALANTA
ISSN:
0039-9140
Año:
2024
Vol.:
266
N°:
1
Págs.:
124934
Cancer is one of the most extensive diseases with the highest mortality rate, accounting for almost 10 million deaths in 2020. The most common cancers are breast, lung, colon and rectum and prostate cancers. Of these, lung cancer, accounted for about 1.8 million of all cancer deaths (25%) in 2020. Detection of cancer relies on presence of biomarkers such as DNA molecules, proteins and metabolites released by cancerous cells into the circulation. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is one of the biomarkers that has been used for the detection of lung cancer. However, CEA is not specific to lung cancer since it is also manifested in gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer. Recently, v-YES1 Yamaguchi sarcoma viral oncogene homolog 1 (YES1) was described as a specific biomarker for lung cancer. The detection of both CEA and YES1 would give more precise and authentic information for detecting lung cancer. This is because detection of a single tumor marker usually limits the precision in tumor diagnosis, due to the fact that several cancers have more than one marker linked with their prevalence. Whereas traditional methods have been used for the detection of CEA, electrochemical immunosensors have attracted considerable attention owing to their profound advantages, including fast response, miniaturization, high selectivity, low sample requirements and magnificent sensitivity. The fabrication of a multiplex and simultaneous immunosensor is met with challenge of preparation of distinguishable immunoprobes with different redox activities. This can be addressed by incorporation of electroactive Nano metals into the sensing platform. In this study, gold nanoparticles were used for the fabrication of an ultrasensitive sandwich electrochemical multiplex immunosensor for simultaneous detection of CEA and YES1. Under optimized conditions, the electrochemical immunosensor detection limit for YES1 and CEA was found to be 0.0022 and 0.0034 ng/mL respectively within a linear range of 0.1-50 ng/mL. The proposed immunosensor proved to be stable for up to 2 weeks and had negligible cross reactivity towards various interfering compounds in human plasma. This study reports that gold nanoparticles can be bio synthesized using shade dried Mangifera indica leaves extract. The bio-synthesized gold nanoparticles coupled with thiolated protein G can be used for fabrication of a multiplex immunosensor for detection of CEA and YES1. The proposed immunosensor can provide a new approach for early diagnosis of circulating cancer biomarkers and holds great promise for application in clinical diagnosis.
Autores:
Edo, C.; Fernández-Piñas, F.; Leganes, F.; et al.
Revista:
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
ISSN:
0048-9697
Año:
2023
Vol.:
905
Págs.:
166923
Plastic production continues to increase every year, yet it is widely acknowledged that a significant portion of this material ends up in ecosystems as microplastics (MPs). Among all the environmental compartments affected by MPs, the atmosphere remains the least well-known. Here, we conducted a one-year simultaneous monitoring of atmospheric MPs deposition in ten urban areas, each with different population sizes, economic activities, and climates. The objective was to assess the role of the atmosphere in the fate of MPs by conducting a nationwide quantification of atmospheric MP deposition. To achieve this, we deployed collectors in ten different urban areas across continental Spain and the Canary Islands. We implemented a systematic sampling methodology with rigorous quality control/quality assurance, along with particle-oriented identification and quantification of anthropogenic particle deposition, which included MPs and industrially processed natural fibres. Among the sampled MPs, polyester fibres were the most abundant, followed by acrylic polymers, polypropylene, and alkyd resins. Their equivalent sizes ranged from 22 mu m to 398 mu m, with a median value of 71 mu m. The particle size distribution of MPs showed fewer large particles than expected from a three-dimensional fractal fragmentation pattern, which was attributed to the higher mobility of small particles, especially fibres. The atmospheric deposition rate of MPs ranged from 5.6 to 78.6 MPs m- 2 day -1, with the higher values observed in densely populated areas such as Barcelona and Madrid. Additionally, we detected natural polymers, mostly cellulosic fibres with evidence of industrial processing, with a deposition rate ranging from 6.4 to 58.6 particles m- 2 day -1. There was a positive correlation was found between the population of the study area and the median of atmospheric MP deposition, supporting the hypothesis that urban areas act as sources of atmospheric MPs. Our study presents a systematic methodology for monitoring atmospheric MP deposition.
Revista:
SOIL BIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
ISSN:
0038-0717
Año:
2018
Vol.:
116
Págs.:
378 - 387
The present work was carried out to assess the effect of atmospheric ammonia (NH3) on soil physicochemical properties, soil enzymatic activities (ß-glucosidase -ß-GLU-, nitrate reductase ¿NR-, urease ¿UR-, protease ¿PRO-, acid phosphatase ¿PHO-, dehydrogenase ¿DHA-), soil microbial biomass and soil respiration. The study was conducted along a NH3 gradient in a Q. pubescens Milld. forest in the vicinity of two livestock farms. Because of NHy (NHy: NH3 and NH4+) deposition, N saturation was detected up to 330 m from the farms. This excess of N led to a decrease in soil C:N and an increase in soil nitrification processes, which resulted in an accumulation of the heavy N isotope (15N) in the soil. N saturation was also reflected in the activity of NR enzyme, which was inhibited. On the other hand, while UR enzyme was inhibited close to the farms possibly due to the high amount of N-NH4+ resulting from the hydrolysis of NH3, PRO activity was stimulated by the presence of organic nitrogen compounds and the need of soil organisms to meet the C demand. In addition, the activity of PHO and ß-GLU enzymes was regulated by the relative amount of C and P that organisms need. Regarding biological variables, enhanced NH3 reduced soil microbial biomass and biomass respiratory efficiency. Finally, soil enzyme activities and soil microbial biomass have proved to be good biological indicators of soil quality.
Revista:
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
ISSN:
0048-9697
Año:
2018
Vol.:
619-620
Págs.:
883 - 895
Ammonia (NH3) emissions are linked to eutrophication, plant toxicity and ecosystem shifts from N to P limitation. Bryophytes are key components of terrestrial ecosystems, yet highly sensitive to N deposition. Hence, physiological responses of mosses may be indicative of NH3-related impacts, and thus useful to foresee future ecosystem damages and establish atmospheric Critical Levels (CLEs). In this work, samples of Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. were seasonally collected along a well-defined NH3 concentration gradient in an oak woodland during a one-year period. We performed a comprehensive evaluation of tissue chemistry, stoichiometry, metabolic enzymes, antioxidant response, membrane damages, photosynthetic pigments, soluble protein content and N and C isotopic fractionation. Our results showed that all the physiological parameters studied (except P, K, Ca and C) responded to the NH3 gradient in predictable ways, although the magnitude and significance of the response were dependent on the sampling season, especially for enzymatic activities and pigments content. Nutritional imbalances, membrane damages and disturbance of cellular C and N metabolism were found as a consequence to NH3 exposure, being more affected the mosses more exposed to the barn atmosphere. These findings suggested significant implications of intensive farming for the correct functioning of oak woodlands and highlighted the importance of seasonal dynamics in the study of key physiological processes related to photosynthesis, mosses nutrition and responses to oxidative stress. Finally, tissue N showed the greatest potential for the identification of NH3-related ecological end points (estimated CLE = 3.5 mu g m(-3)), whereas highly scattered physiological responses, although highly sensitive, were not suitable to that end.
Revista:
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
ISSN:
1470-160X
Año:
2016
Vol.:
60
N°:
1
Págs.:
1221 - 1228
There is a significant lack of data in biomonitoring surveys from southern Europe and other Mediterranean biogeographic areas. This scarcity is mainly due to the impossibility of finding the commonly recommended species in a great portion of these dry environments. The present work was carried out with the aim of assessing the validity of the moss Pleurochaete squarrosa (Brid.) Lindb. (PS) as a feasible alternative in these regions. The study was developed in the Mediterranean area of Navarra, in northern Spain, where the response of PS to multiple atmospheric pollutants (N, Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Ti and Zn) was compared to that of Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. (HC), an accepted and widely used species in biomonitoring surveys. Moreover, N isotopic signatures from both species were studied to evaluate their effectiveness when identifying nitrogen emission sources. The enrichment factor (EF) approach was used to evaluate the heavy metal uptake, showing a similar behaviour for both species: low EF for Al, As, Cr and Fe; intermediate for Mn, Ni, Pb and Sb; and high for Cd, Cr, Hg and Zn. Equally, both species depicted the same N deposition patterns across the study area. However, regarding ¿15N, PS gave a more congruent picture with the location of the main sources of N emissions in the area. These data suggest that PS may be a suitable biomonitor to fill the aforementioned gaps in Mediterranean biogeographic areas.
Revista:
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
ISSN:
0269-7491
Año:
2016
Vol.:
210
Págs.:
104 - 112
Deposition of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in both bulk precipitation (BD) and canopy throughfall (TF) has been measured for the first time in the western Mediterranean. The study was carried out over a year from 2012 to 2013 at four evergreen holm oak forests located in the Iberian Peninsula: two sites in the Province of Barcelona (Northeastern Spain), one in the Province of Madrid (central Spain) and the fourth in the Province of Navarra (Northern Spain). In BD the annual volume weighted mean (VWM) concentration of DON ranged from 0.25 mg l-1 in Madrid to 1.14 mg l-1 in Navarra, whereas in TF it ranged from 0.93 mg l-1 in Barcelona to 1.98 mg l-1 in Madrid. The contribution of DON to total nitrogen deposition varied from 34% to 56% in BD in Barcelona and Navarra respectively, and from 38% in Barcelona to 72% in Madrid in TF. Agricultural activities and pollutants generated in metropolitan areas were identified as potential anthropogenic sources of DON at the study sites. Moreover, canopy uptake of DON in Navarra was found in spring and autumn, showing that organic nitrogen may be a supplementary nutrient for Mediterranean forests, assuming that a portion of the nitrogen taken up is assimilated during biologically active periods.
Revista:
ANALYTICAL METHODS
ISSN:
1759-9660
Año:
2013
Vol.:
5
N°:
2
Págs.:
554-559
A microwave digestion method in a closed vessel was developed for the simultaneous determination of trace and major elements, with the highest possible recoveries, in atmospheric aerosols using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This method was developed to quantify the concentration of Na, Mg, Al, P, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce and Pb present in quartz filters containing particulate matter (PM10). The performance of the procedure was evaluated by analysis of the standard reference material NIST 1633b and CTA-FFA-1. Different combinations of nitric acid (HNO3), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hydrofluoric acid (HF) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) were tested to improve the recovery factors for the studied elements. The addition of a large amount (3 mL) of HF was required to fully dissolve the quartz filters. This fact made difficult the obtention of high recoveries for alkali (Rb, Cs), alkaline earth (Mg, Ca, Ba), and rare earth (La, Ce) elements, which showed the lowest recoveries. In this study three different digestion methods were assessed using a closed evaporation system, the addition of boric acid and a mixture of both procedures to minimize the effects of residual fluoride.
Revista:
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT JOURNAL
ISSN:
1582-9596
Año:
2012
Vol.:
11
N°:
6
Págs.:
1049 - 1058
The concentrations of 15 selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in daily PM10 samples collected at a rural site, an urban site and a traffic site in Navarra during 2009. PAHs were extracted by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) from the corresponding quartz filters and later analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). An intensive annual study was enabled with this analytical procedure as turnover is multiplied by 50 with MAE in comparison with the classical extraction technique (Soxhlet). The annual average total concentrations of the 15 target compounds ranged from 0.6 ng m(-3) to 1.2 ng m(-3) at the rural and traffic sampling stations respectively, showing up to four times higher PAHs concentrations in winter than in summer. When compared to other European cities, Pamplona registered significantly lower PAHs values. Other pollutants like NOx, CO and PM10 were found to be well correlated with PAHs, and O-3 presented a negative correlation. The results of diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the high influence of diesel and gasoline emissions in the three studied areas, although, other main sources were also found.
Revista:
Atmospheric research
ISSN:
0169-8095
Año:
2011
Vol.:
102
N°:
1
Págs.:
191 - 205
Revista:
THE FINNISH ENVIRONMENT
ISSN:
1238-7312
Año:
2011
N°:
18
Págs.:
53 - 57
Revista:
REVUE D'OENOLOGUES ET DES TECHNIQUES VITI-VINICOLES ET OENOLOGIQUES
ISSN:
0760-9868
Año:
2011
Vol.:
38
N°:
141S
Págs.:
56 - 58
Revista:
JOURNAL OF THE BRAZILIAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
ISSN:
0103-5053
Año:
2010
Vol.:
21
N°:
6
Págs.:
1052 - 1059
The affinity of two widely used pesticides of diverse specificities, i.e., the fungicide Thiram and the herbicide Picloram, for lead ions has been studied by an electrochemical approach. The anodic stripping voltammetric profile of the studied metallic ion was significantly affected by the chemical nature of pesticide (ligand) used and new light has been shed on the nature, strength and possible stoichiometry of formed complexes. Thiram caused a pronounced effect on the stripping signals of Pb. Linearization algorithms of titration data with the metal allowed the conditional stability constant to be calculated for Thiram (log K' = 6.8) and Picloram (log K' = 6.0). It was found that both pesticides contribute to the formation of the respective 1:1 complexes with Pb in a high percentage (ca. 83%).
Nacionales y Regionales
Título:
Gemelos Digitales para la climatización de edificios (BuildTwin)
Código de expediente:
0011-1383-2022-000015 PC032-033 BuildTwin
Investigador principal:
Jesús Fernando López Fidalgo
Financiador:
GOBIERNO DE NAVARRA
Convocatoria:
2022 GN Proyectos Colaborativos
Fecha de inicio:
01/04/2022
Fecha fin:
30/11/2024
Importe concedido:
370.917,55€
Otros fondos:
-
Título:
Impacto del depósito de N en zonas vulnerables españolas: tendencias temporales e interacciones a nivel de ecosistema y paisaje
Código de expediente:
CGL2017-84687-C2-2-R
Financiador:
MINISTERIO DE CIENCIA, INNOVACIÓN Y UNIVERSIDADES
Convocatoria:
2017 MINECO RETOS INVESTIGACION. PROYECTOS DE I+D+i
Fecha de inicio:
01/01/2018
Fecha fin:
30/09/2021
Importe concedido:
145.200,00€
Otros fondos:
Fondos FEDER