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Ítem Real-Time Ultrasonic Inspection System for Oil Content in Emulsions for Production Lines(IEEE, 2025-10-28) Galleguillos Silva, Renato Bruno; Paloma, PonceThis work presents a real-time ultrasonic inspection system with temperature compensation for monitoring oil content in emulsion production lines across food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and oil refining industries. The system enables continuous, non-destructive quality control by measuring ultrasonic wave propagation velocity through oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. A specialized measurement chamber with submersible piezoelectric transducers and automated signal processing algorithms provides accurate concentration estimates within 2% error of actual values. Experimental validation with almond oil emulsions demonstrates a strong linear correlation between propagation velocity and oil concentration, with temperature compensation ensuring reliability under industrial operating conditions. The system’s non-invasive nature and real-time capabilities make it suitable for inline implementation in production lines, offering significant advantages over traditional batch testing methods. Index Terms—inline inspection, ultrasonic monitoring, emulsion production, food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, cosmetic production, water recoveryÍtem Green ultrasound-sssisted extraction of bee Pollen polyphenols for bioactive κ-carrageenan food packaging films with antioxidant and UV-protective properties(American Chemical Society, 2026-06-23) Galdames, Franco; Galleguillos Silva, Renato Bruno; Cabreras-Barjas, Gustavo; Faúndez, Mario; Giordano, Ady; Castaño, Patricia; Marambio, Esteban; Montenegro, Gloria; Velásquez, PatriciaBee pollen extracts can enhance the properties of biopolymeric films. This study is the first to extract polyphenols from bee pollen using ultrasound-assisted glycerol–water mixtures for incorporation into κ–carrageenan–based films. First, bee pollen polyphenols were extracted and optimized using Box–Behnken response surface methodology, considering glycerol concentration, sonication amplitude, and extraction time. Then, the optimized extracts were characterized. Finally, the effects of incorporating the extracts into κ–carrageenan films were assessed through physicochemical and mechanical analyses. The optimized bee pollen extracts showed total phenolic contents ranging from 609.4 to 1431.3 μg GAE/g. Higher sonication amplitude, increased glycerol concentration, and shorter extraction time increased polyphenolic extraction. The extracts also exhibited high antioxidant capacity and low cytotoxicity. The incorporation of bee pollen extracts modified several functional properties of the κ–carrageenan films. Films with these extracts showed increased antioxidant capacity, rigidity and UV protection, reduced thickness and solubility. The results indicate that films with bee pollen extract appear better suited as rigid protective coatings or wrapping films for low–stress applications rather than as flexible, stretchable packaging.Ítem Adipocyte extracellular vesicles (AdEVs) promote a proinflammatory and profibrotic profile in human renal and endothelial cells in vitro(Springer Nature, 2026-02-23) Carrión, Pablo; Hernández, María Paz; Pérez, Jorge A.; Tapia-Castillo, Alejandra; Vecchiola, Andrea; Sandoval-Bórquez, Alejandra; Baudrand, René F.; Fardella, Carlos E.; Carvajal, Cristian A.OBJECTIVES: In obesity, white adipose tissue (WAT) undergoes hypertrophic and hyperplastic changes that are driven by phenotypical changes in preadipocytes and adipocytes. WAT also causes a chronic inflammatory state that modifies gene expression and the secretome, including the shedding of adipose-derived extracellular vesicles (AdEVs) into the circulation, which may influence distant cell types and modulate their phenotypes. AIM: To evaluate the effects of AdEVs on renal and endothelial cells and determine their impact on gene expression related to inflammation, fibrosis, and endothelial function. METHODS: Human SW872 preadipocytes were differentiated into adipocytes and subsequently characterized. AdEVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation and analyzed according to ISEV guidelines. Recipient human renal (HCD) and endothelial (EA.hy926) cells were exposed to AdEVs for 24 hours. Gene expression of adipokines, cytokines (IL-6, IL-1B), fibrosis markers, neutrophil gelatinaseassociated lipocalin (NGAL), and eNOS was assessed by RT-qPCR and western blotting. RESULTS: Differentiated SW872 cells displayed typical adipocyte morphology and accumulated abundant lipid droplets. Isolated AdEVs showed a donut-like morphology, characteristic size distribution, and expression of CD9 and TSG101, consistent with canonical EV markers. Both renal and endothelial cells internalized PKH67-labeled AdEVs and exhibited increased IL-6 and IL-1B expression (p < 0.05). Renal cells demonstrated increased NGAL mRNA levels, whereas endothelial cells showed reduced eNOS mRNA expression following AdEV exposure (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: AdEVs from SW872 upregulated cytokine (e.g., IL-6) and NGAL expression in renal cells, while reducing eNOS expression in endothelial cells. These findings suggest that AdEVs may influence early inflammatory and vascular responses inobesity.Ítem Progressive 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 Insufficiency as Kidney Function Declines(Endocrine Society, 2024-09) Uslar, Thomas; Newman, Andrew J.; Tapia-Castillo, Alejandra; Carvajal, Cristian A.; Fardella, Carlos E.; Allende, Fidel; Solari, Sandra; Tsai, Laura C.; Milks, Julia; Cherney, Michael; Stouffer, David G.; Auchus, Richard; Brown, Jenifer M.; Baudrand, René; Vaidya, AnandBackground: It has been postulated that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a state of relative 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11βHSD2) insufficiency, resulting in increased cortisol-mediated mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activation. We hypothesized that relative 11βHSD2 insufficiency manifests across a wide spectrum of progressively declining kidney function, including within the normal range. Methods: Adult participants were recruited at 2 academic centers. A discovery cohort (n = 500) enrolled individuals with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ranging from normal to CKD stage 5, in whom serum cortisol-to-cortisone (F/E) was measured as a biomarker of 11βHSD2 activity. A validation cohort (n = 101) enrolled only individuals with normal kidney function (eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) in whom 11βHSD2 activity was assessed via serum F/E and 11-hydroxy-to-11-keto androgen (11OH/K) ratios following multiple maneuvers: oral sodium suppression test, dexamethasone suppression test (DST), and ACTH-stimulation test (ACTHstim). Results: In the discovery cohort, lower eGFR was associated with higher F/E (P-trend < .001). Similarly, in the validation cohort, with normal eGFR, an inverse association between eGFR and both F/E and 11OH/K ratios was observed (P-trend < .01), which persisted following DST (P-trend < .001) and ACTHstim (P-trend < .05). The fractional excretion of potassium, a marker of renal MR activity, was higher with higher F/E (P-trend < .01) and with lower eGFR (P-trend < .0001). Conclusion: A continuum of declining 11βHSD2 activity was observed with progressively lower eGFR in individuals spanning a wide spectrum of kidney function, including those with apparently normal kidney function. These findings implicate cortisol-mediated MR activation in the pathophysiology of hypertension and cardiovascular disease in CKD.Ítem Influence of estradiol deficiency on the mineralocorticoid receptor response in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional study(Taylor & Francis Group, 2025-01) Martínez-García, Alejandra; Pérez, Jorge A.; Tapia-Castillo, Alejandra; Hernández, María P.; Solórzano, Marlin; Carrión, Pablo; Fardella, Carlos E.; Carvajal, Cristian A.Objective: Premenopausal women (PreM) have a cardioprotective advantage over postmenopausal women (PostM) due to estrogen. The interaction of estrogen with the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) pathway remains unexplored. This study aimed to identify changes in aldosterone, renin and sexual steroid levels and MR surrogate biomarkers in PostM that may explain changes in blood pressure and renal damage. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 47 normotensive and hypertensive Chilean women distributed between PreM and PostM. Clinical, anthropometric and biochemical parameters, including aldosterone, plasma renin activity (PRA) and surrogate markers of MR activity, were assessed. Results: PostM had greater systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p < 0.001) than PreM. A negative correlation was observed between estradiol and fractional excretion of potassium (FEK) (ρ = –0.29; p = 0.023), adjusted for age and SBP. Compared with hypertensive PreM, hypertensive PostM (PostM-HT) showed reduced PRA (p = 0.045) and greater FEK (p = 0.04). Normotensive PostM (Post-NT) exhibited greater SBP (p = 0.03), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels (p = 0.04) and FEK (p = 0.03) than normotensive PreM. Conclusion: Our results suggest enhanced MR sensitivity not only in PostM-HT, as evidenced by lower PRA and elevated FEK, but also in PostM-NT, who exhibited greater FEK and NGAL levels, surrogate markers of MR activation. These results support a novel role of MR activation and cardiovascular risk in PostM women.Ítem Hipertensión arterial de origen endocrino en población pediátrica: Rol emergente del exceso aparente de mineralocorticoides no clásico(Sociedad Chilena de Endocrinología y Diabetes, 2026-01) Tapia-Castillo, Alejandra; Pérez, Jorge A.; Martínez-Aguayo, Alejandro; Carrión, Pablo; Pinilla, Renata; Hernández, María Paz; Martínez, Alejandra; Fardella, Carlos E.; Carvajal, Cristian A.La hipertensión arterial (HTA) pediátrica ha aumentado de manera sostenida en las últimas décadas, con una prevalencia estimada de 3–5% a nivel global y hasta 8% en Chile. Lejos de ser una condición benigna, la HTA en niños se asocia a daño temprano en órganos blanco, incluyendo hipertrofia ventricular izquierda, mayor grosor íntima-media carotídeo, rigidez arterial, microalbuminuria y alteraciones neurocognitivas. Mientras en escolares y adolescentes predomina la HTA primaria, en menores de seis años son más frecuentes las causas secundarias, entre ellas las endocrinas, que representan aproximadamente 5–10% de los casos y requieren una evaluación específica. Entre estas causas, el síndrome de Exceso Aparente de Mineralocorticoides (AME) destaca por una activación inapropiada del receptor mineralocorticoide (MR) mediada por cortisol, consecuencia de una actividad reducida o inhibida de la enzima 11β-hidroxiesteroide deshidrogenasa tipo 2 (11β-HSD2). El AME clásico es infrecuente y de presentación grave, asociado a variantes patogénicas en HSD11B2. En contraste, el AME no clásico (NC-AME) constituye una forma más leve y probablemente subdiagnosticada, caracterizada por renina baja, relación cortisol/cortisona elevada, niveles disminuidos de cortisona y aumento de la excreción urinaria de potasio, pudiendo contribuir a HTA en niños previamente considerados con HTA esencial. Los mecanismos propuestos para NCAME incluyen polimorfismos en HSD11B2, alteraciones epigenéticas y la presencia de inhibidores endógenos o exógenos de 11β-HSD2. En niños hipertensos, se han observado alteraciones del metabolismo del cortisol compatibles con una disfunción parcial de esta enzima. Aunque el uso de antagonistas del MR es eficaz en estos casos, el control óptimo de la presión arterial sigue siendo limitado. El NC-AME emerge, así como una causa relevante y subdiagnosticada de HTA pediátrica, subrayando la necesidad de mejorar su reconocimiento, caracterización y abordaje terapéutico.Ítem Primary Aldosteronism in a Hispanic Cohort: Responses to Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonism and Remission in a Case(Oxford University Press, 2025-02) Tapia-Castillo, Alejandra; Vecchiola, Andrea; Quiñones, Paola; Baudrand, René; Uslar, Thomas; Delgado, José; Carvajal, Cristian A.; Fardella, Carlos E.Background: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the main cause of secondary arterial hypertension. In this study, we present the medical treatment of Hispanic patients with PA followed for up to 5 years, highlighting the complete cure with pharmacological treatment in one of our patients. Methods: We studied 32 PA patients, followed every 6 months after starting MRA. A clinical response was the normalization of blood pressure (BP) in the absence of other antihypertensive drugs. The biochemical response was considered with normalization of potassium and renin. Responses to treatment were compared using the defined daily dose (DDD). The effect of MRA was evaluated in vitro. The HAC15 cells were cultured and stimulated with aldosterone and spironolactone for 24-72 h, and the apoptotic cell death was measured. Results: At 12 months posttreatment with MRA, 68% of the patients had a total clinical response, and 67% had a total biochemical response. Response to MRA treatment reduced DDD by an average of 74%. Additionally, we observed one PA patient treated with spironolactone after 3 years, he presented a pharmacological cure with normalization of aldosterone and renin without treatment with spironolactone. The in vitro study shows that spironolactone increased early apoptosis by 60% and late apoptosis by 50%. Conclusions: These results suggest the importance of timely diagnosis of PA and specific treatment with MRA, especially in patients with a poor response to treatment. Moreover, remission of PA may occur in some patients after spironolactone treatment due to its suggestive role as an apoptotic agent.Ítem Phase-controlled array of ultrasonic transducers for active focusing of waves in air. Applied to foam abatement(AMA Science, 2025-09-21) Galleguillos Silva, Renato Bruno; Leon-Montalva, Camila; Cancino-Jaque, Eduardo; Meneses-Diaz, Josue; Vargas-Hernandez, Yolanda; Gaete-Garreton, LuisThis work presents the development and experimental validation of an annular array of 56 ultrasonic transducers operating at 25 kHz for contactless industrial foam abatement. Through phase control algorithms, the system achieves acoustic focusing in air, generating pressure levels exceeding 150 dB SPL at the focal point. Experimental results demonstrate successful foam disruption capabilities, and the scalability was also validated through numerical simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics and laboratory testing.Ítem The La Silla Schmidt Southern Survey(IOPS Publishing, 2025-09-29) Miller, Adam A.; Galleguillos Silva, Renato Bruno; Abrams, Natasha S.; Aldering, Greg; Anand, Shreya; Angus, Charlotte R.; Arcavi, Iair; Baltay, Charles; Bauer, Franz E.; Brethauer, Daniel; Bloom, Joshua S.; Et. al.We present the La Silla Schmidt Southern Survey (LS4), a new wide-field, time-domain survey to be conducted with the 1 m ESO Schmidt telescope. The 268 megapixel LS4 camera mosaics 32 2k × 4k fully depleted CCDs, providing a ∼20 deg2 field of view with 1″ pixel−1 resolution. The LS4 camera will have excellent performance at longer wavelengths: in a standard 45 s exposure the expected 5σ limiting magnitudes in g, i, z are ∼21.5, ∼20.9, and ∼20.3 mag (AB), respectively. The telescope design requires a novel filter holder that fixes different bandpasses over each quadrant of the detector. Two quadrants will have i band, while the other two will be g and z band with color information obtained by dithering targets across the different quadrants. The majority (90%) of the observing time will be used to conduct a public survey that monitors the extragalactic sky at both moderate (3 days) and high (1 day) cadence, as well as focused observations within the Galactic plane and bulge. Alerts from the public survey will be broadcast to the community via established alert brokers. LS4 will run concurrently with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). The combination of LS4+LSST will enable detailed holistic monitoring of many nearby transients: high-cadence LS4 observations will resolve the initial rise and peak of the light curve while less-frequent but deeper observations by LSST will characterize the years before and after explosion. Here, we summarize the primary science objectives of LS4 including microlensing events in the Galaxy, extragalactic transients powered by massive black holes or stellar explosions, the search for electromagnetic counterparts to multi-messenger events, and supernova cosmology.Ítem Driving hypertension: non-classic apparent mineralocorticoid excess(Springer Nature, 2025-11-12) Carvajal, Cristian A.; Tapia-Castillo, Alejandra; Uslar, Thomas; Vaidya, Anand; Pérez, Jorge A.; Baudrand, Rene; Fardella, Carlos E.Non-classic apparent mineralocorticoid excess is an underrecognized cause of low-renin hypertension, which is often misdiagnosed as essential hypertension. This condition challenges traditional classifications and highlights the need for mechanism-based diagnostics and medical care. Hypertension remains a leading contributor to global cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It has a high prevalence, low rate of identifiable causes and is frequently resistant to conventional therapy. Hypertension is traditionally classified as ‘essential’ and multifactorial; however, up to one-third of patients have hypertension with a low-renin phenotype . This subtype has been largely attributed to primary aldosteronism, yet emerging data suggest a broader and more complex spectrum of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) overactivation. Non-classic apparent mineralocorticoid excess (NC-AME) is one of several overlooked contributors to low-renin hypertension; NC-AME might account for a meaningful proportion of patients who have been misclassified as having essential hypertension.Ítem Limitations of transfer learning for chilean cherry tree health monitoring: when lab results do not translate to the orchard(MDPI, 2025-08-13) Hidalgo, Mauricio; Yanine, Fernando; Galleguillos Silva, Renato Bruno; Lagos, Miguel; Kumar Sahoo, Sarat; Paredes, RodrigoChile, which accounts for 27% of global cherry exports (USD 2.26 billion annually), faces a critical industry challenge in crop health monitoring. While automated sensors monitor environmental variables, phytosanitary diagnosis still relies on manual visual inspection, leading to detection errors and delays. Given this reality and the growing use of AI models in agriculture, our study quantifies the theory–practice gap through comparative evaluation of three transfer learning architectures (namely, VGG16, ResNet50, and EfficientNetB0) for automated disease identification in cherry leaves under both controlled and real-world orchard conditions. Our analysis reveals that excellent laboratory performance does not guarantee operational effectiveness: while two of the three models exceeded 97% controlled validation accuracy, their field performance degraded significantly, reaching only 52% in the best-case scenario (ResNet50). These findings identify a major risk in agricultural transfer learning applications: strong laboratory performance does not ensure real-world effectiveness, creating unwarranted confidence in model performance under real conditions that may compromise crop health management.Ítem Feasibility of using ultrasound for drug delivery through micellar systems(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 2025-04-02) Marambio, E.; Velásquez, P.; Cepeda-Plaza, M.; Galleguillos Silva, Renato BrunoA study of micellar structures subjected to continuous high-intensity ultrasonic perturbation was carried out. The micelles were characterized by high-speed absorption spectrophotometry and the use of fluorophores, such as Rhodamine 123, as a spectroscopic indicator of the micellar kinetic process. It was found that above the critical micellar concentration, the absorbance peak of the fluorophore experiences a 14 nm red shift. Preliminary experiments indicate a reversal of this shift under certain ultrasonic conditions. In subsequent experiments, no effect of high intensity ultrasonic radiation on the micellar systems studied was observed. A dependence of the spectroscopic response of Rh123 on temperature is found, which can be confused with the effect of micelle breaking in solutions. The study presented considers the use of Quillaja Saponaria Molina and Triton X-100 as a surfactant, but it is extensible to other micellar systems.