Articles publicats en revistes (Enginyeria Química i Química Analítica)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/2445/20401

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Multiscale and Multimodal Image Fusion. Coping with Differences in Scanned Area and Spatial Resolution for Raman/Fluorescence Images of Labeled Cells
(American Chemical Society, 2025-05-26) Sicre Conesa, Albert; Marsal, Maria; Gómez Sánchez, Adrián; Loza Álvarez, Pablo; Juan Capdevila, Anna de
Multiscale and multimodal image fusion is a challenge derived from the diversity of chemical and spatial information provided by the current hyperspectral image platforms. Efficient image fusion approaches are essential to exploit the complementary chemical information across different zoom scales. Most current image fusion algorithms tend to work by equalizing the spatial characteristics of the platforms to be combined, i.e., downsampling pixel size and cropping noncommon scanned sample areas if required. In this work, a new image unmixing algorithm based on a flexible mathematical framework is proposed to enable working with all available image information while preserving the original spatial properties of every imaging measurement. The algorithm is tested on a challenging image fusion scenario of fluorescence and Raman images collected on labeled HeLa cells. The system is relevant from an analytical point of view, since smart fluorescence labeling allows profiting from the excellent morphological information without causing interferences in the rich chemical information furnished by Raman. From a data handling perspective, it offers a challenging multiscale problem, where the fast fluorescence imaging acquisition allows recording full cell images, and the slower Raman image acquisition is focused on scanning only relevant small regions of the cells analyzed. By applying the image fusion algorithm proposed, an improved morphological and chemical characterization of cell constituents in the full cell area is obtained despite the different spatial scales used in the original imaging measurements.
Commercial screen-printed carbon electrodes for real-time and in situ monitoring of organic UV filters: Application to study their adsorption onto polyethylene microplastics
(Elsevier B.V., 2026-10-07) Contreras Llin, Albert; González-Molero, J.; Pérez Ràfols, Clara; Serrano i Plana, Núria; Díaz Cruz, Silvia; Díaz Cruz, José Manuel
This work demonstrates the use of commercial screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) coupled with differentialpulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry (DPAdSV) for the in-situ and continuous monitoring, over 24 –48 h, of the concentration of the organic UV filters benzophenone-3 (BP-3) and octocrylene (OC) as they adsorbonto polyethylene (PE) pellets in stirred aqueous solutions. The approach enables a large set of real-time measurementswith minimal disturbance of the solution, providing a valuable complement, with higher temporalresolution, to conventional off-line kinetic studies of UV-filter adsorption onto microplastics, typically performedby HPLC-MS/MS. Moreover, the high reproducibility and durability of SPCE units under stirred conditionshighlight their potential for the continuous monitoring of target pollutants in real environmental matrices,especially when integrated into automated systems involving periodic sensor replacement and recalibration.
Energy and Capital Cost Reduction in Ester Transesterification Using an Optimized Reactive Distillation System with Prefractionation
(American Chemical Society, 2025-11-11) Troyano Ferré, Carles; Cabello, Rúben; Risco Morillo, Alvaro; Plesu Popescu, Alexandra Elena; Bonet, Jordi
Reactive distillation is a highly efficient process, but its application presents significant challenges in mixtures that have azeotropes, such as in the transesterification of methyl acetate (MeAc) and methanol (MeOH) with n-butanol (BuOH). This paper proposes a reactive distillation with a prefractionation column (RDPFC) system to valorize the waste stream from the poly(vinyl alcohol) industry (30.7 wt % MeAc and 69.3 wt % MeOH) to recover high-purity MeOH and valuable n-butyl acetate (BuAc). The process was modeled and optimized in Aspen Plus version 12.1, with the objective of minimizing the total annual cost (TAC). The proposed system incorporates a prefractionation column (PFC) consisting of 26 stages working under vacuum conditions (0.6 atm) alongside a reactive column (RC) with 38 stages operating at high pressures (8 atm) to improve the conversion of the reaction. The RDPFC process attains a MeAc conversion rate of 99.2 mol %, yielding products that align with commercial specifications, including over 99.85 wt % MeOH and more than 99.5 wt % BuAc. A comparative analysis reveals that the RDPFC configuration utilizes 2.56 GJ/tBuAc, showcasing a significant 67% reduction in energy consumption when compared to the traditional reactive and extractive distillation (RED) process. The removal of the entrainer and its corresponding recovery unit primarily accounts for this improvement. This study suggests that the RDPFC system could be a highly efficient and economically attractive solution for valuing waste streams in the poly(vinyl alcohol) industry.
Dimensionally and morphologically driven effects of nanomaterials on the enhancement of electroanalytical sensing performance: A review
(Elsevier B.V., 2026-07-28) Huang, Jing; Bastos Arrieta, Julio; Serrano i Plana, Núria; Díaz Cruz, José Manuel
Electrochemical sensors are widely used in environmental monitoring, clinical diagnostics, and food-safety assessment because they can support rapid analysis, relatively low-cost instrumentation, and sensitive detection when sensing interfaces and recognition strategies are appropriately designed. Bare electrodes, however,may show slow electron-transfer kinetics, limited electroactive area, or insufficient stability. Incorporating nanomaterials can address these constraints by modifying charge transport, active-site accessibility, analyte accumulation, and interfacial chemistry. This review uses dimensionality and morphology as operational descriptorsto examine how zero-dimensional (0D), one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), and threedimensional(3D)/hierarchical architectures influence structure-dependent electroanalytical behavior. 0D materials provide discrete catalytic or redox-active sites and, in selected nanoclusters and quantum dots, size dependent electronic effects. 1D architectures can support directional or percolated charge transport, subject to orientation, connectivity, junction resistance, and electrode adhesion. 2D materials provide accessible interfaces, exposed basal, edge, or defect sites, and tunable surface chemistry, including selected ultrathin nanosheetsand nanofilms. 3D/hierarchical architectures regulate analyte-accessible reaction volumes and spatially partition functions: hollow and nanoporous structures organize internal transport, core–shell structures provide radial partitioning, and Janus interfaces provide lateral or anisotropic partitioning.
Exploring phase effects and ROS contributions in catalytic ozonation ofpolymorphic MnO2-Oxalic acid complexes
(Elsevier B.V., 2025-03-31) Liu, Jiao; Yuan, Xiangjuan; Sans Mazón, Carme
This study investigated the pivotal role of oxalic acid (OA) in promoting the formation of multi-phase MnO2-OA complexes (α-MnO2-OA, β-MnO2-OA, and δ-MnO2-OA), significantly enhancing the efficiency of catalytic ozonation efficiency for pollutants degradation. At a catalyst-to-OA molar ratio of 1:0.8, the ATZ (5 mg L−1) degradation efficiencies within 3 min were 95.09 %, 93.43 %, and 96.71 % for the α-MnO2/OA/O3, β-MnO2/OA/O3, and δ-MnO2/OA/O3 systems, respectively—approximately twice as high as that of O3 alone. Pyrophosphate experiments verified that the formation of MnO2-OA complexes relied on the presence of Mn3+ on the surface of catalysts, which exhibited higher stability and catalytic ozonation ability in acidic conditions. Further probe experiments quantified the contributions of various reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the MnO2-OA complexes mediated catalytic ozonation system. The results indicated that O2•− as dominant species responsible for ATZ removal, followed by •OH, while O3 and 1O2 played comparatively minor roles. Notably, multi-phases MnO2-OA complexes revealed distinct active sites during the catalytic ozonation processes, as identified through a series of characterization techniques. For the α-MnO2-OA complex, more oxygen vacancies were generated on the surface, adsorbing O3 and pollutants for further reaction. For the β-MnO2-OA complex, more manganese vacancies and enhanced lattice oxygen (OL) mobility were key factors contributing to ROS production. As for the δ-MnO2-OA complex, the surface –OH groups acted as the main active site, reacting with O3 to generate more ROS, thus improving ATZ degradation. Overall, this study provides innovative insights into the application of MnO2 in catalytic ozonation.
New strategies for portable XRF spectrum processing applied to historical glasses
(Elsevier, 2026) Ahumada Forigua, Diego A.; Acevedo Muñoz, Inés; Magkanas, Georgios; Palomar, Teresa; Pastor, Paloma; Saurina, Javier; García Martínez, José Francisco
Portable X-ray fluorescence (p-XRF) is a powerful, non-destructive tool widely used to analyze cultural heritage objects. However, limitations such as noise, drift, and spectral overlaps may affect the accuracy of elemental identification and quantification. This study presents a comprehensive methodology for processing and analyzing p-XRF spectra, aiming to improve the reliability and accuracy of elemental identification in cultural heritage materials. The methodology incorporates key steps such as spectral alignment, energy calibration, smoothing, drift correction, signal detection, deconvolution, and integration.The approach was successfully applied to reference materials and historical glass objects from La Real Fábrica de Cristales de La Granja, which exhibit a wide range of elemental concentrations. Furthermore, the methodology was adapted to deal with spectra acquired from various portable XRF instruments, demonstrating broad compatibility. Notable improvements include increased positive and negative predictive values for element identification, especially for challenging low-intensity signals such as Na, Mg, and Al, compared to the direct instrument report. Limits of detection were also established, demonstrating reliability across a range of elements. Key advancements include reduced noise, enhanced linearity (R²), and the preservation of spectral proportionality, ensuring robust and reproducible results. This approach reduces uncertainty in element identification, improves the accuracy in concentration determination and facilitates the use of p-XRF by researchers and conservators. A user-friendly implementation of this procedure, including example datasets and scripts, is provided in the Supplementary Material. Additionally, an interactive Shiny application was included to allow users to perform basic spectral processing in a straightforward and accessible manner.
Biochar as a sustainable sorbent for the removal of lanthanides from acid mine drainage
(Elsevier Ltd., 2025-06-01) Serra Ventura, Joan; Rasero López, Sandra; Romera Miró, Marc; Vidal, Marta; Rigol Parera, Anna
The extraction and processing of ores containing lanthanides (Ln) generate significant amounts of waste that may lead to Ln-rich leachates and acid mine drainage (AMD). AMD is characterised by an acidic pH and high iron (Fe) concentrations. Due to the environmental risk of these leachates, there is a need to apply effective remediation strategies to decrease Ln concentrations in leachate-affected waters. In this scenario, biochar was investigated as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for the treatment of these waters. This study explored the viability of two biochar materials (derived from pine branches (PB) and garden wastes (GaW)) for the removal of Ln (La, Sm and Lu) from contaminated waters, including AMD. A continuous-flow sorption technique was used to simulate a real scenario of water filtration using a biochar barrier. Initially, two Sm-spiked water matrices, double-deionised water (DD) and river freshwater (FW) were tested, revealing no statistically significant differences in the biochar sorption capacities obtained (220 and 216 meq kg−1 for PB, 459 and 392 meq kg−1 for GaW in DD vs. FW scenarios, respectively), despite the slight differences in pH, dissolved organic matter, and water-soluble cation concentrations between the matrices. For mixed Ln contamination (La + Sm + Lu), Ln appeared to be equally distributed at the biochar sorption sites, whereas the biochar showed a similar overall sorption capacity when comparing mixed Ln contamination to only Sm contamination. After the initial tests, the efficiency of the biochar materials to sorb Ln from AMD was tested in a simulated AMD matrix. Biochar materials with high buffering capacity, such as those tested in this work, were considered a suitable option for the treatment of Ln-contaminated AMD, provided that the operation times are adapted so as not to exceed the acid neutralising capacity of the material.
Vine-pruning waste derived catalyst for ibuprofen degradation from water through ozonation
(Elsevier Ltd., 2025-06-01) Nieto-Sandoval, Julia; Cavalcante, R.P.; Bayarri Ferrer, Bernardí; Sans Mazón, Carme
This work aimed to valorize vine shoots, for water treatment applications by investigating hydrochar materials in catalytic ozonation. For this purpose, a vine-pruning waste derived catalyst was synthesized via hydrothermal treatment at 200 °C, previous a cobalt impregnation step. The catalytic ozonation of the pharmaceutical ibuprofen showed 47 % higher degradation rate than single ozonation. However, the catalytic efficiency was reduced increasing the catalyst dose due to dissolved organic matter released during reaction. To address this issue, several chemical post-treatments were tested without effectiveness. Nevertheless, in the presence of a post-treated pyrolyzed catalyst at 550 °C (0.25 g/L), 86 % ibuprofen removal within just 1 min was achieved using 5 mg/L of ozone. The increase in BET surface area and the adsorption of ibuprofen on the material observed suggest a synergistic effect of both processes. Additionally, the effectiveness of the system was confirmed in a real aqueous matrix.
Simulación aplicada al aprendizaje activo en asignaturas de Ingeniería Química y Química Analítica.
(Congrés Internacional de Docència Universitària i Innovació (CIDUI), 2025) Bringué Tomàs, Roger; Bonet i Ruiz, Jordi; Plesu Popescu, Alexandra Elena; Torres, Ricard; Soto López, Rodrigo; Cabello Gallego, Ruben; Bayarri Ferrer, Bernardí; Labanda, Jordi; Núñez Burcio, Oscar; Fuguet i Jordà, Elisabet; Benavente Moreno, Fernando J. (Julián); Beltrán Abadia, José Luis
The development of the strategic line of Simulation applied to active learning in Chemical Engineering and Analytical Chemistry subjects has been a success. Four actions have been designed based on the incorporation of simulation tools in activities for two compulsory subjects of the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering degrees and two practical laboratory subjects of the Chemical Engineering degree. The software and materials needs for the institution are diverse, from almost zero to very demanding. Three of these actions have been implemented with very positive results in terms of acceptance by the students.
Octyl levulinate biolubricant production from levulinic acid esterification over ion exchange resins: Role of morphology and reaction thermodynamics
(Elsevier B.V., 2025-05-26) Badia i Córcoles, Jordi Hug; Soto, Rodolfo; Fité Piquer, Carles; Tejero Salvador, Xavier; Ramírez Rangel, Eliana
Synthesis of biolubricant octyl levulinate (OL) through liquid-phase esterification of levulinic acid with 1-octanol over ion-exchange resins (IERs) was studied. OL possesses excellent properties for application as biomass-derived lubricant, like moderate viscosity, high viscosity index, and low volatility, and it can be considered a completely renewable value-added product, ready for mass-consumption. An unprecedented catalytic screening using acidic IERs revealed that the present reaction is sensitive to catalyst morphology, with structures easing molecular accessibility towards active sites being more active than IERs with greater active sites concentrations. The most active IERs were the gel-type resin Dowex®50Wx2, a micro-structured resin with low-density polymer regions, and the hyper-crosslinked macroreticular resin Macronet™ MN500, with highly exposed acid sites due to large macropore-sized cavities. Equilibrium conversions were experimentally determined in a batch reactor at 2.5 MPa and 353 − 393 K, with values ranging 35–97 %, revealing a slight exothermic character for the reaction. Thermodynamic equilibrium properties for the reaction were determined experimentally for the first time. Enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy changes of reaction at 298.15 K were estimated to be −(6.9 ± 0.3) kJ/mol, (5.051 ± 0.016) J/(mol·K), and −(8.5 ± 0.3) kJ/mol, respectively.
Novel hydrochar-modified hydrozincite designed and applied for the efficient degradation of pollutants in wastewater treatment
(Elsevier B.V., 2025-04-01) Castillo Rodríguez, Julio Cesar; Marco Buj, Pilar; Giménez Farreras, Jaume; Tzompantzi-Morales, Francisco Javier; Tzompantzi Flores, Clara; Sans Mazón, Carme
In the present study, materials based on hydrochar modified with hydrozincite were designed, varying the weight percentage of hydrozincite. The hydrozincite was prepared via a chemical co-precipitation method using thermal urea hydrolysis without any prior activation or calcination process. The hydrochar modified with hydrozincite was synthesized using a hydrothermal method at 300°C. These materials were applied in the photodegradation of contaminants. The characterization of these materials revealed that the presence of heterojunctions and oxygen vacancies plays a crucial role in the photocatalytic reaction mechanism. These materials were evaluated under UV light and a solar light simulator. The material that exhibited the highest photodegradation percentage contained 10 % by weight of hydrozincite. This suggests that these materials could be a promising alternative for the decomposition of such pollutants present in wastewater.
In-capillary enzymatic digestion beyond trypsin for the sensitive targeted bottom-up analysis of protein biomarkers by capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry
(Elsevier B.V., 2025-11-01) Salim, Hiba; Casas Martí, Joan; Pont Villanueva, Laura; Giménez López, Estela; Benavente Moreno, Fernando J. (Julián)
Targeted bottom-up proteomics is of great interest for the straightforward, accurate, and sensitive measurement of specific protein biomarkers from surrogate peptide fragments. However, this approach typically relies on off-line enzymatic digestion with trypsin, a time-consuming step that may be inadequate for covering certain sequence regions containing important post-translational modifications (PTMs).
Authentication of flours using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques: A comprehensive review
(Elsevier B.V., 2026-07-23) Pages-Rebull, J.; Serrano i Plana, Núria; Díaz Cruz, José Manuel; Pérez Ràfols, Clara; Ozen, Banu; Tokatli, Figen
Background: Flour is a powdered substance obtained by grinding cereal grains or other starch-rich foods, formed through a milling process that reduces the grain to a fine powder. Flour is a staple ingredient highly susceptible to adulteration, mislabelling, and cross-contamination, posing risks to food safety, quality, and consumer trust. The increasing complexity of flour matrices and supply chains has intensified the need for reliable analytical tools for authentication. Scope and approach: This review systematically evaluates recent advances in chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques for flour authentication, covering studies from 2015 to 2025 (chromatography) and 2020–2025 (spectroscopy). Both targeted and non-targeted approaches are discussed, including GC, LC, and CE, as well as NIR, FTIR, hyperspectral imaging, fluorescence, Raman, and LIBS. Particular attention is given to chemometric and machine learning strategies for classification and quantification, alongside key methodological considerations such as sample preparation, data processing, and validation. Key findings and conclusions: Chromatographic methods provide high sensitivity and molecular specificity, enabling targeted detection of markers, while spectroscopic techniques offer rapid, non-destructive, and high-throughput screening based on chemical fingerprints. Despite significant progress, major challenges remain, including matrix complexity, environmental variability, limited standardization, and poor model transferability across instruments and datasets. Detection of low-level adulteration in complex or blended flours remains particularly challenging. Future research is expected to focus on multi-sensor data fusion, expansion of open spectral databases, robust validation frameworks, and integration of portable devices with digital infrastructures. These developments will be essential to improve robustness, scalability, and real-world implementation of flour authentication strategies.
Tamoxifen oxidation in unbuffered acidic aqueous–alcoholic media at boron-doped diamond electrodes: experimental and theoretical insights into possible application in electroanalysis
(Elsevier Ltd., 2026-07-10) Li, Xiaochun; Trnková, Libuše; Marton, Marian; Vojs, Marian; Čechal, Jan; Liska, Alan; Bičák, Vojtěch; Serrano i Plana, Núria; Díaz Cruz, José Manuel; Pérez Ràfols, Clara
Tamoxifen (TAM), a selective oestrogen receptor modulator prescribed for the treatment of breast cancer and endocrine disorders, was investigated in an acidic aqueous-alcoholic unbuffered environment in terms of its oxidation, protonation/deprotonation, electron transfer, and interaction with the charged phase interface. Advanced analysis of TAM oxidation was performed experimentally using a screen-printed boron-doped electrode (SP/BDDE). The study highlights not only the influence of electrochemical pre-treatment of the SP/BDDE surface (O-termination), pH and ethanol content on the irreversible electron transfer in the TAM molecule, but also the ability of differential pulse and elimination voltammetric analysis (DPV and EVLS) to recognize the nature of the ongoing electrochemical processes. The optimal protocol for the most efficient heterogeneous electron transfer for TAM (O-terminated boron-doped diamond) and the mechanism of its oxidation (pH 2, EtOH 7.7% vol.) was proposed. The effect of ethanol content on the oxidation voltammetric signal of TAM has been discussed through the physicochemical properties of aqueous-alcoholic solutions, such as their permittivity, ionic mobility, and viscosity. We identified a distinct rate-determining step for the oxidation process of TAM on carbon and diamond, and we proposed the oxidation mechanism of TAM using quantum chemical (DFT) calculations. The study also shows that the combination of an unbuffered acidic medium and an oxygen-terminated, highly boron-doped diamond electrode represents a robust and practical approach for electrochemical analysis of TAM in real urine samples, offering excellent antifouling properties, stable oxidation peak potentials, and reliable detection of trace-level TAM.
Unveiling iron chemical speciation in low sample volumes by a spectroelectrochemical approach
(Elsevier B.V., 2026-09-01) Cutillo‑Foraster, Alessandra; Özbek, Nurhayat; Bastos Arrieta, Julio; Serrano i Plana, Núria; Díaz Cruz, José Manuel
Spectroelectrochemistry (SEC) in the UV-vis region has shown interesting possibilities for analytical purposes, especially by means of chronoamperometric (CA) measurements in normal reflection mode using screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE). In this work, a study of the electrochemical and optical response of mixtures with different proportion of Fe(II)- and Fe(III)-ions complexed with ortho-phenanthroline (OP) was conducted by taking advantage of the appearance/disappearance of the intense red color of Fe(II)-OP complex as Fe(III) is reduced and Fe(II) is oxidized, respectively. As a proof of concept, the calibration curves obtained for mixtures under reduction (- 0.2 V) and oxidation (+1.0 V) conditions were used to quantify the amount of Fe(II) and Fe(III) in a real sample. The analysis showed that the SEC-based strategy is a suitable tool for iron speciation using a reduced volume of sample.
Partial least squares calibration as a tool to overcome intermetallic interactions in the stripping analysis of metal ions: Application to the simultaneous determination of Pb(II), As(III), Cu(II), and Hg(II) using gold screen-printed electrodes
(Elsevier B.V., 2026-06-01) Triviño, Juan José; Pérez Ràfols, Clara; Serrano i Plana, Núria; Arancibia, Verónica; Díaz Cruz, José Manuel
This work explores the use of partial least squares (PLS) multivariate calibration to address the issues encountered in multianalyte differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV), particularly those arising from competition among metals for active sites on the working electrode and from the formation of intermetallic compounds. A simple and cost-effective method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of Pb(II), As(III), Cu(II), and Hg(II) ions in aqueous matrices by combining DPASV measurements using a commercial low-temperature gold screen-printed electrode (SPAuE) with a PLS-2 calibration model. The latter employs a central composite design (CCD) together with a new 4D-rotation strategy to ensure homogeneous distribution of concentrations for all four analytes. The methodology exhibits good analytical performance, with linear ranges up to 69 μg/L, R<sup>2</sup> values above 0.99, and repeatability and reproducibility below 8.9% and 11.9%, respectively. Additionally, it significantly improves accuracy compared to univariate calibration, achieving recoveries between 88.8% and 121.7%.
Effects of Acute Severe Hypobaric Hypoxia on Gut-Muscle Axis in Rats
(Springer Verlag, 2026-07-17) Santocildes Martinez, Garoa; Lorenzo, Karenia; Magalhães, José; Amézqueta Pérez, Susana; Pagés, Teresa; Torres Simón, Josep Lluís; Viscor Carrasco, Ginés; Ramos Romero, Sara; Torrella Guio, Joan Ramon
Acute exposure to high-altitude hypobaric hypoxia (HH) disrupts physiological homeostasis. While gastrointestinal and neurological disturbances are its main manifestations, muscle function is also affected. However, its short-term effects on the gut–muscle axis remain poorly understood. The present study investigated the impact of a 4-hour exposure to simulated altitude (5,000 m) on intestinal morphology, gut microbiota composition, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels, and skeletal muscle mitochondrial function in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Despite the severity of the hypoxic stimulus, biometric and hematological parameters remained largely unchanged, suggesting preserved systemic stability. Histological analysis revealed a significant reduction in intestinal crypt depth, indicating early structural alterations, while villus morphology and goblet cell counts remained unchanged. Microbiota profiling showed a decrease in Enterobacteriales abundance, while other bacterial groups and SCFA concentrations remained stable, pointing to limited microbial shifts under acute conditions. In skeletal muscle, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production increased under complex I-supported respiration while mitochondrial respiration was maintained across all respiratory states. This suggests a qualitative shift in redox balance. Collectively, these findings indicate that acute HH triggers early localized responses in intestinal and muscular tissues without inducing widespread systemic disruption, highlighting the resilience of the gut–muscle axis to short-term hypoxic stress. Longer or repeated exposures may be required to elicit broader physiological adaptations. This study contributes to understanding the early effects of altitude-related hypoxia and underscore the importance of exposure duration in shaping host responses.
Novel porous crosslinked plastic scintillation microspheres (p‑CPSm) for radioactivity detection
(Springer Nature, 2025-11-21) Coma i Garcia, Arnau; Tarancón Sanz, Alex; Bagan Navarro, Hector
Purpose The use of plastic scintillators combined with selective extractants (PSresin) has been extensively developed in recent years, enabling the simultaneous separation and detection of different radionuclides on a single support. However, these materials have some limitations, such as low specific surface areas, leaching of extractants weakly adhered and degradation in presence of non-polar organic solvents, as they are made of linear polymers. Methods To address these challenges, this study introduces novel materials composed of a crosslinked structure and porosity using organic solvents (dichloromethane, toluene, heptane and hexane). Results The results show that the type and amount of solvent used during synthesis significantly influence the scintillation and morphological properties of these supports. Furthermore, porous PSresins demonstrate the ability to immobilize higher amounts of extractants compared to the linear polymer structures, but keeping adequate scintillation properties for radionuclide detection. Conclusion Porous scintillation microspheres can be successfully prepared with acceptable scintillation capabilities. These new materials enable an immobilization of higher amounts of selective extractants, resulting in significantly enhanced extraction capacities.
Serum PCBs, OCPs, PBDEs and PCAs: Associations with metabolic syndrome risk factors in the Flemish Gut Flora Project cohort.
(Elsevier, 2026-02-18) Cseresznye, Adam; Ouden, Fatima den; Ait Bamai, Yu; Engelen, Liesa; Maris, Elias; Paepe, Ellen De; Poma, Giulia; Derrien, Muriel; Vich Vila, Arnau; Proost, Sebastian; Commer, Lindsey de; Verspecht, Chloe; Devolder, Lindsay; Vieira-Silva, Sara; Falony, Gwen; Hemeryck, Lieselot Y.; Yin, Shanshan; McGrath, Thomas J.; Peró Gascón, Roger; van Nuijs, Alexander L.N.; De Saeger, Sarah; Nawrot, Tim Steve; Vanhaecke, Lynn; Raes, Jeroen; Covaci, Adrian
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex, multifactorial disorder mainly linked to lifestyle factors. However, emerging evidence suggests that environmental exposures, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), may also contribute to its development. This study investigated serum POP levels and their associations with MetS and related cardiometabolic outcomes in Belgian adults. The study included 403 adults from the Flemish Gut Flora Project (FGFP), a Belgian population-based cohort. Serum concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured using GC-ECNI/MS, while polychlorinated alkanes (PCAs) were quantified using LC/MS. MetS and its components (central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL cholesterol, hypertension, impaired fasting glucose) were defined by the International Diabetes Federation criteria. The overall prevalence of MetS was 16.5 % (n = 23) for males and 8.0% (n = 21) for females. Detection frequencies (DFs) were generally high: 13 of the 21 POPs, including PCBs and OCPs were present in 40% of the samples. In pooled serum extracts, DFs for PCAs were 44% for ΣPCA(C10-C13), 68% for ΣPCA(C14-C17) and 5% for ΣPCA(C18-C20). Multi-pollutant models revealed significant associations between POPs and several MetS indicators stratified by sex. Notably, females exhibited significantly increased odds of elevated blood pressure (OR: 2.29, FDR <0.05). This study provides evidence of ongoing exposure to POPs in Belgium, linking these mixtures to cardiometabolic alterations. These findings emphasize a potential differential susceptibility in females and underscore the need for targeted public health considerations.
The interaction between lipids and ammoniacal nitrogen mitigates inhibition in mesophilic anaerobic digestion
(Elsevier Ltd., 2021-10-23) Astals Garcia, Sergi; Chávez Fuentes, Juan José; Capson-Tojo, Gabriel; Hutňan, Miroslav; Jensen, Paul D.
Ammoniacal nitrogen and long chain fatty acids (LCFA) are common inhibitors of the anaerobic digestion process. However, the interaction between these inhibitors has received little attention. Understanding the interaction between these inhibitors is important to optimise the operation of anaerobic digesters treating slaughterhouse waste or using fat, oil and grease (FOG) as co-substrate among others. To study the interaction between ammoniacal nitrogen and LCFA inhibition, 20 different conditions were trialled in mesophilic batch tests. Experimental conditions included 5 mixtures between slaughterhouse wastewater and LCFA (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 20:80, 0:100 on a VS basis), each one tested at 4 different ammoniacal nitrogen concentrations (0, 1, 3, 6 gNadded·L-1). Experimental and modelling results showed that ammoniacal nitrogen inhibition was less severe in LCFA-rich mixtures, indicating that LCFA mitigated ammoniacal nitrogen inhibition to a certain extent. However, the positive interaction between inhibitors did not only depend on the LCFA concentration. A protective LCFA coat that limited the diffusion of free ammonia into the cell and/or provided a localised lower pH in the vicinity of the microbial cell could explain the experimental results. However, ammoniacal nitrogen and LCFA inhibition comprise up to 6 different but interrelated inhibitors (i.e. NH3, NH4+, LCFA, VFA, H2 and pH) and therefore the specific mechanism could not be elucidated. Nonetheless, these results suggest that LCFA do not exacerbate TAN-related inhibition and that LCFA-rich substrates can be utilised as co-substrates in mesophilic N-rich digesters.

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