Lateral flow biosensors (LFBs) are paper-based devices which permit the performance of low-cost and fast diagnostics with good robustness, specificity, sensitivity and low limits of detection. The ...use of nanoparticles (NPs) as labels play an important role in the design and fabrication of a lateral flow strip (LFS). The choice of NPs and the corresponding detection method directly affect the performance of these devices. This review discusses aspects related to the application of different nanomaterials (e.g. gold nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, up-converting phosphor technologies, and latex beads, between others) in LFBs. Moreover, different detection methods (colorimetric, fluorescent, electrochemical, magnetic, etc.) and signal enhancement strategies (affording secondary reactions or modifying the architecture of the LFS) as well as the use of devices such as smartphones to mediate the response of LFSs will be analyzed.
Display omitted
•Recent advances on nanoparticle-based lateral flow biosensors are discussed.•LFBs are affordable and portable tools which detect a huge variety of compounds.•.Nanoparticles as reporters on LFBs allow the detection by different methods
Mitochondrial respiration is an energy producing process that involves the coordinated action of several protein complexes embedded in the inner membrane to finally produce ATP. Complex IV or ...Cytochrome
Oxidase (COX) is the last electron acceptor of the respiratory chain, involved in the reduction of O₂ to H₂O. COX is a multimeric complex formed by multiple structural subunits encoded in two different genomes, prosthetic groups (heme
and heme
₃), and metallic centers (Cu
and Cu
). Tens of accessory proteins are required for mitochondrial RNA processing, synthesis and delivery of prosthetic groups and metallic centers, and for the final assembly of subunits to build a functional complex. In this review, we perform a comparative analysis of COX composition and biogenesis factors in yeast, mammals and plants. We also describe possible external and internal factors controlling the expression of structural proteins and assembly factors at the transcriptional and post-translational levels, and the effect of deficiencies in different steps of COX biogenesis to infer the role of COX in different aspects of plant development. We conclude that COX assembly in plants has conserved and specific features, probably due to the incorporation of a different set of subunits during evolution.
In this review we discuss recent developments on the use of mobile phones and similar devices for biosensing applications in which diagnostics and communications are coupled. Owing to the ...capabilities of mobile phones (their cameras, connectivity, portability, etc.) and to advances in biosensing, the coupling of these two technologies is enabling portable and user-friendly analytical devices. Any user can now perform quick, robust and easy (bio)assays anywhere and at any time. Among the most widely reported of such devices are paper-based platforms. Herein we provide an overview of a broad range of biosensing possibilities, from optical to electrochemical measurements; explore the various reported designs for adapters; and consider future opportunities for this technology in fields such as health diagnostics, safety & security, and environment monitoring.
Display omitted
•Mobile phone-based biosensing is a key tool that will move the society towards smart cities: full connection everywhere.•“Diagnostic and communication” technology permits the user performing quick assays either at home or in the field.•Optical and electrochemical biosensors, among others, are integrated into mobile phones with good resolution and sensitivity.
Membrane distillation (MD) is a promising separation technology that can help reducing the worldwide water-energy stress in a sustainable way. MD uses low-grade thermal energy to drive desalination, ...to remove non-volatile contaminants or to recover other components. In MD, the vapor from an aqueous solution crosses a hydrophobic membrane and then it condensates at the other side of the membrane, resulting in a high-quality distillate. Recent advances in MD have demonstrated the viability of this technology for different water purification applications. This article presents a critical review of MD that focuses on applications for sustainable water production and on issues that must be addressed to improve the performance of MD desalination systems. To achieve sustainable desalination, different MD systems powered by solar, geothermal, and waste energy have been designed and evaluated, as well as hybrid systems that allow accomplishing zero liquid discharge. To achieve improved desalination, new membranes, membrane modules and MD configurations have been proposed in the last years. Membrane fouling and scaling has been found to be one of the main issues that limits MD at large-scale. Research gaps are highlighted and areas for further research – in terms of sustainability and to improve the performance of MD systems– are proposed.
Pincer complexes are useful tools for organic synthesis. Their high stability and easy functionalization have allowed the development of novel catalytic systems that have had a tremendous impact in ...different areas of chemistry. Thus, catalytic reactions are nowadays a fundamental part of several synthetic routes, as they allow “greener” procedures with high atom efficiency. In this context, pincer complexes have contributed to the establishment of novel and efficient catalytic reactions. Thus, herein we summarize the most recent relevant advances involving pincer complexes as catalysts.
In a pinch: Pincer complexes are useful tools for organic synthesis. Their high stability and easy functionalization have allowed the development of novel catalytic systems that have had a tremendous impact in different areas of chemistry. Herein the most recent relevant advances involving pincer complexes as catalysts are summarized.
Abstract
Background
Imipenem combined with the β-lactamase inhibitor relebactam has broad antibacterial activity, including against carbapenem-resistant gram-negative pathogens. We evaluated efficacy ...and safety of imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam in treating hospital-acquired/ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP).
Methods
This was a randomized, controlled, double-blind phase 3 trial. Adults with HABP/VABP were randomized 1:1 to imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam 500 mg/500 mg/250 mg or piperacillin/tazobactam 4 g/500 mg, intravenously every 6 hours for 7–14 days. The primary endpoint was day 28 all-cause mortality in the modified intent-to-treat (MITT) population (patients who received study therapy, excluding those with only gram-positive cocci at baseline). The key secondary endpoint was clinical response 7–14 days after completing therapy in the MITT population.
Results
Of 537 randomized patients (from 113 hospitals in 27 countries), the MITT population comprised 264 imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam and 267 piperacillin/tazobactam patients; 48.6% had ventilated HABP/VABP, 47.5% APACHE II score ≥15, 24.7% moderate/severe renal impairment, 42.9% were ≥65 years old, and 66.1% were in the intensive care unit. The most common baseline pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae (25.6%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18.9%). Imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam was noninferior (P < .001) to piperacillin/tazobactam for both endpoints: day 28 all-cause mortality was 15.9% with imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam and 21.3% with piperacillin/tazobactam (difference, −5.3% 95% confidence interval {CI}, −11.9% to 1.2%), and favorable clinical response at early follow-up was 61.0% and 55.8%, respectively (difference, 5.0% 95% CI, −3.2% to 13.2%). Serious adverse events (AEs) occurred in 26.7% of imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam and 32.0% of piperacillin/tazobactam patients; AEs leading to treatment discontinuation in 5.6% and 8.2%, respectively; and drug-related AEs (none fatal) in 11.7% and 9.7%, respectively.
Conclusions
Imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam is an appropriate treatment option for gram-negative HABP/VABP, including in critically ill, high-risk patients.
Clinical Trials Registration
NCT02493764.
Imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam was noninferior to piperacillin/tazobactam for treating hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP), with a comparable tolerability profile. Imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam is an efficacious treatment option for nosocomial pneumonia, including HABP/VABP in mechanically ventilated and critically ill, high-risk patients.
TCP proteins integrate a family of transcription factors involved in the regulation of developmental processes and hormone responses. It has been shown that most members of class I, one of the two ...classes in which the TCP family is divided, contain a conserved Cys that leads to inhibition of DNA binding when oxidized. In this work, we describe that the class-I TCP protein TCP15 inhibits anthocyanin accumulation during exposure of plants to high light intensity by modulating the expression of transcription factors involved in the induction of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes, as suggested by the study of plants that express TCP15 from the 35SCaMV promoter and mutants in TCP15 and the related gene TCP14. In addition, the effect of TCP15 on anthocyanin accumulation is lost after prolonged incubation under high light intensity conditions. We provide evidence that this is due to inactivation of TCP15 by oxidation of Cys-20 of the TCP domain. Thus, redox modulation of TCP15 activity in vivo by high light intensity may serve to adjust anthocyanin accumulation to the duration of exposure to high irradiation conditions
Summary
Communication of mitochondria with other cell compartments is essential for the coordination of cellular functions. Mitochondria send retrograde signals through metabolites, redox changes, ...direct organelle contacts and protein trafficking. Accumulating evidence indicates that, in animal systems, changes in mitochondrial function also trigger responses in other, either neighbouring or distantly located, cells. Although not clearly established, there are indications that this type of communication may also be operative in plants. Grafting experiments suggested that the translocation of entire mitochondria or submitochondrial vesicles between neighbouring cells is possible in plants, as already documented in animals. Changes in mitochondrial function also regulate cell‐to‐cell communication via plasmodesmata and may be transmitted over long distances through plant hormones acting as mitokines to relay mitochondrial signals to distant tissues. Long‐distance movement of transcripts encoding mitochondrial proteins involved in crucial aspects of metabolism and retrograde signalling was also described. Finally, changes in mitochondrial reactive species (ROS) production may affect the ‘ROS wave’ that triggers systemic acquired acclimation throughout the plant. In this review, we summarise available evidence suggesting that mitochondria establish sophisticated communications not only within the cell but also with neighbouring cells and distant tissues to coordinate plant growth and stress responses in a cell nonautonomous manner.
PDF
