Ciencias Exactas y Ciencias de la Salud
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11285/551039
Pertenecen a esta colección Tesis y Trabajos de grado de las Maestrías correspondientes a las Escuelas de Ingeniería y Ciencias así como a Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud.
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- Development and characterization of nanoparticle-based composites for fire-retardant cotton fabrics(Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, 2025-12-03) Briones Baños, Michelle; Sánchez Rodríguez, Elvia Patricia; mtyahinojosa, emipsanchez; Murillo Hernández, José Alberto; Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias; Campus Estado de México; Almanza Arjona, Yara CeciliaCotton the most widely used natural textile fiber worldwide, but its high flammability posed a great safety concern, especially in occupational environments where workers remain vulnerable to fire-related injuries. There is a growing need for accessible, low-toxicity and effective flame-retardant solutions that can be applied to cotton. In this context, this study evaluates two environmentally conscious treatment routes: one based on chitosan and another based on citric acid combined with sodium hypophosphite (CA + SHP), and examines the effect of the incorporation of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) into each system. ZnO NPs were synthesized by a typical reproducible precipitation method, producing high-purity, crystalline nanomaterials, confirmed by FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and SEM. Both treatment systems were applied to cotton fabric without altering its color or dimensions. Chitosan introduced a slight increase in stiffness, while CA + SHP preserved the original softness. SEM confirmed that both coatings were deposited on the fiber surface but formed distinct morphologies, with chitosan generating films and CA + SHP producing localized deposits. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) revealed that ZnO NPs were deposited evenly throughout the fabric, without forming agglomerations. FTIR results indicated that the cellulose structure was unchanged after treatment, and XRD confirmed the predominantly amorphous nature of the chitosan films. Thermal analyses revealed that the treatments modified the decomposition behavior of cotton through different mechanisms. The chitosan–ZnO system shifted the main pyrolysis stage by 30 °C, indicating improved thermal stability, whereas the CA + SHP system reduced moisture sensitivity and generated a more thermally stable char residue. DSC supported these observations by showing reduced degradation peak intensities in all treated samples. The vertical flame test highlighted complementary fire-retardant behaviors. Chitosan-based formulations substantially reduced flame duration but produced weak char and long afterglow, whereas the CA + SHP system did not suppress flaming but strongly inhibited glowing combustion and produced short, cohesive char lengths. These differences demonstrate that the two formulations act at different stages of combustion: chitosan primarily affects flaming behavior, while CA + SHP reduces afterflame times. Overall, this work provides a comparative evaluation of two flame-retardant systems for cotton and identifies their respective strengths and limitations. The results suggest that combining their complementary mechanisms may enable more balanced, accessible, and effective fire-retardant treatments for protective clothing, with potential relevance for industries in regions where burn-related injuries remain a critical concern.
- Engineered mesoporous silica nanoparticles for the co-delivery of quercetin and resveratrol: structural characterization and assessment of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential(Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, 2025-12-02) Torres Copado, Andrea; Paul, Sujay; mtyahinojosa, emipsanchez; Arvizu Espinosa, María Goretti; Sahare, Padmavati; School of Engineering and Sciences; Campus Monterrey; Estévez González, Miriam RocíoThe global burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is closely associated with persistent oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. Natural polyphenols such as quercetin and resveratrol possess potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities; however, their therapeutic potential is severely hindered by low aqueous solubility, poor chemical stability, and rapid metabolic degradation. Nanotechnology-based delivery systems offer a promising approach to enhance the bioavailability and functional performance of these bioactive compounds. Accordingly, this work aimed to co-encapsulate quercetin and resveratrol into mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), thoroughly characterize the resulting nanocarrier system, and assess its biological properties in vitro. MSNs were synthesized through a modified Stöber method, yielding uniform, spherical, amorphous nanoparticles with an average hydrodynamic diameter of ~126 nm, a high specific surface area (200.3 m²/g), a pore volume of 0.445 cm³/g, and a mean pore diameter of 5.4 nm. Co-loading was achieved using a solvent evaporation method, resulting in high encapsulation efficiencies (79.9% for quercetin and 71.4% for resveratrol). Physicochemical characterization (FTIR, XRD, TGA, DLS, Zeta Potential) confirmed successful drug incorporation, partial amorphization of the polyphenols, enhanced thermal stability, and a sustained release profile extending to 75 hours. The QUE-RES-SiO₂ formulation demonstrated significantly enhanced antioxidant capacity in DPPH, CUPRAC, and ABTS assays, surpassing free resveratrol. Strong anti-inflammatory capacity was also observed in a heat-induced protein denaturation model, with up to 75% inhibition, comparable to free quercetin and the reference drug diclofenac. In ovarian adenocarcinoma SKOV-3 cells, the formulation exhibited efficient nanoparticle uptake; however, it did not induce cytotoxicity or reactive oxygen species (ROS) production within 24 hours, likely due to slow-release kinetics, intrinsic chemoresistance of the cell line, and low concentrations tested over a limited time. Overall, these results demonstrate that MSNs constitute an effective platform for the co-delivery of quercetin and resveratrol, enhancing their stability and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential while overcoming key physicochemical limitations. Although anticancer effects were not observed under the tested conditions, this study establishes a robust foundation for future optimization of release kinetics, dosing strategies, and targeting mechanisms to exploit the therapeutic potential of polyphenols in oxidative stress- and inflammation-driven chronic diseases.
- Identifying a subsequent bleaching response in the Acropora genus through comparative transcriptomics(Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, 2025-12-01) Jalife Gómez, Ariadna; Rangel Escareño, Claudia; mtyahinojosa, emipsanchez; Alvarado Cerón, Viridiana; Quintus Scheckthuber, Christian; Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias; Campus MonterreyRising sea temperatures trigger coral bleaching, a process where corals expel vital symbiotic algae from their tissues, leading to reef degradation worldwide. Coral reefs, not only as a source of cultural, economic, and societal benefits, but also as a crucial ecosystem to fight climate change (due to a larger oxygen production in a fraction of space that a forest requires) constantly experience coral bleaching events worldwide with less time between such events, and more intensity in the response severity, as four mass bleaching events have occurred thus far, threatening to conduct many relevant coral species to mass extinction events, a particularly impactful truth for acroporid corals. This thesis addresses the critical need to classify and characterize coral bleaching process by depicting molecular signatures of this phenomenon in Acropora corals, a genus known as reef-builder that is crucial for healthy reef ecosystems due to structure formation and shelter provision in marine ecosystems. Although extensive research has explored the molecular mechanisms of coral bleaching through transcriptomic studies, characterization of the bleaching response remains a challenge in relation with variation in identified mechanisms and lack of integrative efforts between different studies, hindering the development of preventive solutions rather than curative ones. Firstly, we created a dataset with previously processed transcriptomic data from geographically diverse Acropora species using 40 samples from simulated heat stress experiments that corresponded to transcriptomic studies from adult coral colonies with reports of sampling time. Secondly, we analyzed chronological activation of transcriptome patterns through time series for control samples, thermal stress and bleaching in Acropora, aiming to identify conserved molecular signatures regardless of geographical variation. Results revealed that despite heterogeneity present in the dataset, subsequent gene expression responses were identified through functional analysis for both control and heatstressed scenarios with additional validation of time dependence through comparison with a bleaching group, nonetheless, species-specific expression was also identified with a relevant impact of the bacterial component of the coral holobiont. By classifying bleaching responses, we can pave the way for a more targeted intervention strategy to inhibit coral bleaching at a critical juncture defined by gene expression patterns, regardless of environmental variability. The present work could contribute to further management strategies for coral reefs in response to climate change with an informed perspective in molecular terms.
- Shotgun metagenomic analysis of methanogenic communities and physicochemical profiling of cattle manure fractions(Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, 2025-07-29) Carrasco Morales, Oscar; Sharma, Ashutosh; emipsanchez; Iglesias Rodríguez, Dianella; Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias; Campus Querétaro; Bonet Garcia, NeusDairy farms are integral to food security and economic sustainability; however, they can also represent a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and nutrient losses, particularly in the form of methane (CH₄). In Mexico, manure management practices vary widely. Solid-liquid separation is increasingly adopted due to its recognition as one of the most effective upstream operations for GHG emissions mitigation from manure management, producing a nutrient-rich solid fraction and a liquid fraction suitable for fertilization. However, storing the liquid fraction for extended periods, particularly in large lagoons, can lead to anaerobic conditions conducive to CH4 production. A comprehensive physicochemical and microbiological assessment was performed on manure (BM) and its solid (SF) and liquid (LF) fractions. Metagenomic analysis was conducted to elucidate the dynamics of microbial communities related to methanogenesis. Total organic carbon (TOC) was identified as the only significant (PERMANOVA, p < 0.001) physicochemical parameter. SF and BM were primarily associated with hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, whereas both hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogenesis were observed in LF. The acetoclastic pathway in LF was primarily attributed to the predominance of Methanothrix in the lagoons, which develops over a longer period than hydrogenotrophic methanogens and is characterized by maintaining low acetate concentrations. This study provides a baseline characterization of manure fractions from the Agricultural Experimental Center of Tecnológico de Monterrey (CAETEC), Mexico, as a first step towards identifying physicochemical parameters and microbial populations essential for evaluating potential manure management alternatives to mitigate CH₄ emissions.
- Deep learning framework to predict and generate new fluorescent molecules from experimental data(Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, 2025-07) Azizi, Mina; Aguirre Soto, Héctor Alán; emipsanchez; Ray, Mallar; Bernal Neira, David Esteban; Mendoza Cortés, José Luis; School of Engineering and Sciences; Campus Monterrey; Flores Tlacuahuac, AntonioFluorescent molecules play important roles in biological imaging, diagnostics, and materials science. However, identifying efficient and effective fluorophores remains challenging, as traditional trial-and-error experimentation and in silico computations are both costly and time-consuming. To address this, this thesis presents a deep learn- ing approach to streamline the discovery process by predicting optical properties and generating novel fluorescent molecules directly from experimental data. The study is based on FluoDB, a publicly available dataset collected from the literature, containing over 55,000 fluorophore–solvent pairs with experimentally measured optical prop- erties. Graph Convolutional Network (GCN) models were trained to predict four key optical properties and effec- tively captured complex structure–property relationships, achieving R² values ranging from 0.49 to 0.87 across the different targets. A Conditional Variational Autoencoder (CVAE) was also implemented to generate novel fluores- cent molecules based on solvent identity and target absorption range. In total, 2573 valid and structurally diverse molecules were generated, with a variety of predicted optical behaviors. Together, the predictive model and genera- tive models provide a useful and data-driven approach to accelerate exploration and design of functional fluorescent materials.
- Evaluation of the contribution of maize germ peroxidases to resistance to the storage pest prostephanus truncatus(Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, 2025-07) Cervantes Macedo, Elizabeth; García Lara, Silverio; emipsanchez; School of Engineering and Sciences; Campus Monterrey; González Rodríguez, América TzitzikiMaize is a globally important crop used for food, feed, and bioethanol production. However, during storage, it faces serious threats from biotic factors, such as insect pests, particularly Prostephanus truncatus, which can cause severe grain damage and losses of up to 80%, depending on the region and conditions. These infestations also affect grain quality, nutritional value, and marketability. Maize kernels exhibit various resistance mechanisms involving structural, genetic, and biochemical traits, including proteins like peroxidases. Recent studies have linked peroxidase activity to insect resistance, with activity detected in kernel tissues, including the aleurone layer, pedicel, and germ. Although peroxidase activity is mainly concentrated in the germ, little is known about the specific peroxidases involved and their role during insect interactions, creating a gap in our understanding of this defense mechanism. This research aims to analyze the role of germ peroxidases in resistance to P. truncatus in mature maize kernels and germs. Susceptibility of maize kernels and germ tissues to P. truncatus was evaluated and compared with soluble protein concentration and peroxidase activity in the germ. Additionally, a proteomic approach was employed to identify candidate peroxidases and other proteins potentially involved in resistance mechanisms. Results revealed a significant negative correlation between susceptibility traits in maize kernels and peroxidase activity in the germ, as well as a similar correlation between these traits and soluble protein concentration. These findings suggest that peroxidase activity and soluble protein accumulation in the germ likely play an important role in kernel resistance. Despite previous reports of some genotypes exhibiting low germ damage after insect interaction, all germ samples in this study showed relatively high levels of damage, regardless of genotype. Therefore, germ tissue does not exhibit any antixenosis effect. Further research is recommended to evaluate protein candidates in the germ and kernel contributing to resistance during storage.
- Microbial tale: using chaotic bioprinting to create a structured multi-strain probiotic(Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, 2025-06-18) Flores Loera, Francisco Javier; Alvarez, Mario Moises; emipsanchez; Luna Aguirre, Claudia Maribel; Rocha Pizaña, María del Refugio; School of Engineering and Sciences; Campus Monterrey; Trujillo de Santiago, GrisselProbiotic therapies offer great potential for addressing gut dysbiosis, but current approaches are limited by low strain diversity, high production costs, and the challenges of culturing strict anaerobes. To overcome these limitations, this work introduces a novel strategy combining based on continuous chaotic bioprinting to create structured (micro-architected) co-cultures of probiotic bacteria. Using a Kenics static mixer–based printhead, we fabricated alginate hydrogel filaments with an internal multilayered microarchitecture containing four probiotic strains: Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bacteroides fragilis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Streptococcus thermophilus. The spatial arrangement of the multilayered architecture was designed to promote cooperative interactions, particularly by embedding strict anaerobes between facultative anaerobes to create self-sustaining hypoxic niches. The printed constructs were characterized over 72 hours using fluorescence microscopy, colony-forming unit counts, LIVE/DEAD assays, and qPCR. Results showed that structured co-cultures exhibited higher viability, enhanced growth, and more balanced population dynamics than the monocultures of each bacterial strain and unstructured (scrambled) co-cultures. This study demonstrates that chaotic bioprinting enables precise spatial control over microbial ecosystems, allowing the rational design of microbial communities with tailored interactions. The approach presents a powerful and scalable platform for next-generation probiotic production and opens new opportunities for engineered microbiomes, synthetic biology, and living material design.
- Evaluación técnica de la cuantificación sérica del neurofilamento de cadena ligera (NfL) mediante ELISA en pacientes mexicanos con esclerosis lateral amiotrófica: un estudio exploratorio de viabilidad analítica(Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, 2025-06-13) Bátiz Lara, Janay Araí; Cuevas Díaz Durán, Raquel; emipsanchez; Guerrero Beltrán, Carlos Enrique; Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud; Campus Monterrey; González Isla, ArturoLa búsqueda de biomarcadores séricos accesibles y confiables sigue siendo crucial para el diagnóstico temprano de enfermedades neurodegenerativas como la esclerosis lateral amiotrófica (ELA). En este contexto, el neurofilamento de cadena ligera (NfL) se ha propuesto como un marcador de daño axonal con valor diagnóstico y pronóstico, validado en estudios internacionales mediante plataformas ultrasensibles. Sin embargo, su aplicación en poblaciones latinoamericanas permanece poco explorada. Este estudio analizó una cohorte de 30 pacientes mexicanos con ELA y 9 controles sanos, con el objetivo de evaluar la utilidad del NfL en suero utilizando el inmunoensayo ELISA, y correlacionar sus resultados con variables clínicas como rapidez de progresión, severidad de la enfermedad, la Escala ALSFRS-R, entre otras. A pesar del buen desempeño técnico de las curvas de calibración (R² > 0.97), los resultados del ELISA mostraron que más del 90 % de las muestras de pacientes presentaron valores por debajo del blanco, lo cual impidió su cuantificación válida. Este hallazgo sugiere que el ELISA, aún en su formato de alta sensibilidad, podría no ser adecuado para esta población, posiblemente debido a interferencias analíticas, niveles inherentemente bajos o particularidades de matriz. En contraste, el método de Lowry permitió obtener concentraciones válidas de proteína total, aunque sin diferencias significativas entre grupos, ni correlación con el NfL, evidenciando que ambos marcadores representan procesos fisiopatológicos distintos. Estos resultados ponen en evidencia la necesidad de validar protocolos específicos para contextos regionales y subrayan las limitaciones tecnológicas locales. Finalmente, se propone como línea futura el análisis complementario de proteínas intracelulares como TOM20 y GAPDH para ampliar el espectro de biomarcadores disponibles en Latinoamérica.
- Metodología para la cuantificación de biomarcadores de estrés en cabello: extracción y análisis de cortisona en población infantil de México(Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, 2025-06-11) Gandarilla Medina, Erika Giovana; Castorena Torres, Fabiola; emipsanchez; Rodríguez de Ita, Julieta; García-Magariño Alonso, Mariano; León Rojas, Daniela; Díaz Gómez, Jorge Luis; Garrido Acosta, Osvaldo; Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud; Campus Monterrey; Puente Garza, César ArmandoEl análisis de cortisona en cabello se ha convertido en una herramienta prometedora para la evaluación del estrés crónico, especialmente en poblaciones infantiles. En este estudio se desarrolló y evaluó una metodología accesible basada en cromatografía líquida de alta resolución acoplada a un detector de arreglo de diodos (HPLC-DAD), con el objetivo de cuantificar cortisona en muestras de cabello infantil. Se empleó el método de adición estándar para compensar los efectos de matriz, mejorando la precisión del análisis sin requerir procesos de purificación adicionales. A pesar de las limitaciones del uso de HPLC-DAD, como su baja especificidad frente a esteroides estructuralmente similares, los resultados obtenidos mostraron una similitud aceptable con los reportados por un laboratorio de referencia que utiliza HPLC-MS/MS con extracción en fase sólida. Los porcentajes de sobrestimación o subestimación en las muestras analizadas variaron entre 96% y 120%, lo que sugiere que la metodología propuesta, puede ofrecer resultados confiables aplicando estrategias adecuadas de corrección. Las principales limitaciones identificadas incluyeron la escasa disponibilidad de muestra en niños, la baja concentración basal del analito, y la presencia de interferencias no eliminadas completamente por la adición estándar. No obstante, los hallazgos de este trabajo sientan las bases para el diseño de metodologías más accesibles para estudios de estrés crónico en investigación donde el acceso a tecnologías de alta especificidad sea limitado.
- Photocatalytic activity of chemically deposited ZnO and TiO₂ nanostructured thin films in methyl orange degradation(Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, 2025-06-09) Lara Garcilazo, Israel Iván; Karthik Tangirala, Venkata Krishna; emipsanchez; Hernández Zanabria, Angélica Guadalupe; Cano Quiroz, Anaid; Arvizu Coyotzi, Miguel Ángel; School of Engineering and Sciences; Campus Estado de México; Maldonado Álvarez, ArturoWater pollution caused by synthetic dyes, such as Methyl Orange (MO), represents an environmental concern due to their negative impacts on the environment and human health. The removal of these pollutants represents a challenge due to their chemical stability and resistance to conventional water treatment methods. Addressing these problems requires the development of photocatalytic materials capable of degrading this persistent pollutant. This project tests the photocatalytic activity of ZnO and TiO2 films by degrading MO solution (additionally, ZnO is used for the photodegradation of Levonorgestrel). ZnO thin films were deposited using Dip Coating and Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis to study the effect of precursor concentration, Ni doping, precursor milling and deposition method. Additionally, TiO2 samples were deposited only by Dip Coating to study the effects of the precursor used (titanium butoxide or titanium isopropoxide) and the water to titanium precursor ratio. The synthesized films were characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The highest MO degradation efficiency (83.75%) when using ZnO was achieved with ZnO-0.1-DC, which is attributable to its small crystallite size and particle sizes, as well as high dislocation density. Nevertheless, the ZnO thin films performed poorly during the degradation of levonorgestrel. Regarding TiO2 films, TiO2-103-BU-DC performed the best during the MO photodegradation (83.89%), which is attributable to its small crystallite size, high dislocation density and mixture phases (anatase and brookite).