Protein-based biomaterials are excellent candidates for biomedical applications since they have similar properties to the extracellular matrix. Recently, the use of sericin (SS), a protein present in the silk cocoon, can be used as biomaterial. To improve their properties, SS biomaterials must be subject to treatments after their manufacturing. Ethanol post-treatments by immersion and solvent vapor, are used for increasing their crystallinity, mechanical and water stability. In this work, the effect of ethanol post-treatment on the properties of SS scaffolds elaborated by the lyophilization technique was evaluated. Four post-treatments were carried out on the samples: immersed in absolute ethanol for 5 min (SS/EtOH 5 min) and for 1 h (SS/EtOH 1 h); and exposition in a saturated ethanol vapor environment for 1 h (SS/VapEtOH 1 h) and for 24 h (SS/VapEtOH 24 h). The scaffolds were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier‑transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water absorption, degradation in a phosphate-buffered saline solution, sericin release from the scaffolds, and the cytotoxicity test. The ATR-FTIR results showed an increment in the relative content of β-sheet structures and an increment in the crystallinity. SEM images revealed that the post-treatment process induces changes in treated materials to present morphological changes. The treatment materials were more water-stable. The excipients of the SS scaffolds evaluated in human epithelial fibroblasts do not generate an acute cytotoxic effect. The results suggest that ethanol post-treatments induce conformational transitions and morphological changes, which should be considered for selecting the post-treatment conditions according to developing materials for wound regeneration.

Abstract-Telemedicine schemes that allow the monitoring of patients with cardiovascular pathologies are an increasing necessity, especially for arrhythmia detection and monitoring. This paper describes the development of a telemonitoring scheme based on GSM/GPRS data transmission technology that emphasizes in the record and transmission of cardiac events. In this scheme the patient wear a small monitoring device which acquire the electrocardiogram (ECG), processes the signal using algorithms for heart rate calculation and serious arrhythmias detection by means of phase space reconstruction; stores the events in a removable memory card; and transmits the signals if an signal abnormality detection occur. The information is send to a specialized center of cardiovascular monitoring, where it can be evaluated by a physician, who can make a diagnosis without requiring patient displacement. The different components of the system have been validated through different tests confirming their functionality. Palabras claves- I. INTRODUCCIÓNLos sistemas ambulatorios electrocardiográficos (AECG) son ampliamente utilizados para monitorizar la actividad eléctrica del corazón, mientras el paciente realiza sus actividades cotidianas, con el fin de registrar y monitorear aquellas alteraciones del ritmo cardiaco o arritmias que ocurren durante ciertas actividades difícilmente repetibles en un laboratorio o centro médico, tales como estrés emocional, e incluso durante el sueño y el reposo [1]. Sin embargo, la elevada incidencia de patologías cardiovasculares que requieren el uso de estos sistemas ha obligado a la continua búsqueda de soluciones basadas en nuevas plataformas de computación y comunicaciones que ayuden a mejorar la efectividad en el registro de arritmias y seguimiento de cardiopatías.Los sistemas de tele-monitoreo de pacientes con anormalidades cardiacas permiten realizar un seguimiento remoto desde el hogar utilizando dispositivos especializados en conjunto con un sistema de telecomunicaciones, ya sea por medio de líneas telefónicas estándares, redes de cable o tecnología de banda ancha [2]. Se han desarrollado alternativas que incorporan diversos métodos de comunicación inalámbrica que permiten extender y flexibilizar la acción del tele-monitoreo [3-5], algunas de ellas incorporando el uso de un teléfono celular u otro dispositivo móvil que posea un módem GSM-GPRS tal como una computadora de mano o Asistente Digital Personal (PDA) [4,5]. En los últimos años se han desarrollado soluciones que incorporan en un único dispositivo compacto la capacidad de comunicación inalámbrica directa con el centro de monitoreo [6][7][8]. Sin embargo, muchos de los desarrollos se han orientado sólo a la transmisión inalámbrica de las señales obtenidas, excluyendo funcionalidades de grabación de eventos o análisis local de la señal, y otros no ofrecen suficiente capacidad de memoria para la grabación local de eventos, dejándolos susceptibles a la pérdida de datos ante una pérdida de comunicación en la red.Este trabajo se propone un esqu...

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